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Chapter Text

Lena couldn't remember much about what happened that day. One moment she was zipping along the field, pistols blazing, and the next she was knocked in the dirt and everything went black. Groaning Lena sat up and found herself unable to see or move her arms and hands above her waist. Sitting still she began to think, but the only thing that came to mind was she wasn't on the battle field anymore. The distinct noise of medical equipment beeped and whirred in the background; the opposite of the screams of the terrified bystanders and the injured, the pops and bangs of guns firing as she whirred by, a flash of blue among sparks of orange and puffs of grey smoke. Was she back in Angie's lab? But if so, why the need to bind her hands to her waist or put on a blindfold? Did she get hurt worse than she thought? All of these questions bounced around in her head before Lena finally voiced her concerns.

"Eh, Ello... if there's someone here could they maybe tell me what's going on?" She chirped, when no one responded she sighed, "Roight, so now what Lena?"

Swinging her legs to where she hoped the floor was they made contact with a solid surface and she managed to stand. Wobbling slightly she padded forward and found herself running into a counter top. Using her bound hands she felt along the edge until she found the corner moving along so she wouldn't run into it. She forced herself to move slower, cautiously feeling her way. Letting go of the counter when she reached the end she found herself in open space. Taking small baby steps she worked her way across the floor thankfully not hitting anything else. That is until she heard the sound of a door sliding open and she walked straight into someone.

"Oye watch where!" Lena managed to bark out before the other spoke.

"Oh ho ho, so you're awake now are you? Well good. I was told to get you out of here before you break something. Come on Spikes, let's go."

Lena froze as the familiar voice washed over her. No. No no no no no no no! That was the bloody hackers voice! Where was she that Sombra was here to retrieve her? Bristling Lena opened her mouth to object but Sombra was not having it, the woman reached out and grabbed the collar of her jacket and tugged her forward.

"Vamos chica! I don't have all day!" Sombra laughed tugging the Brit out the door. "And don't even think about blinking, or zapping, or flipping through time whatever you call it. That part of your doodad has been temporarily disabled."

Lena let out a disagreeing grunt but quickly fell into step beside the hacker so she didn't fall flat on her face. Silently fuming Lena was led down corridor after corridor, the many twists and turns quickly making Lena lose any sort of map she had of the place in her head. A few minutes later she heard the tell tale taps of Sombra's talons tapping away at a screen and a door slid open that Lena was quickly shoved through. Stumbling Lena fought for balance and managed to catch herself before hitting the floor. Straightening up she turned only to feel a hand clamp down on her shoulder and push her back down towards the floor.

"Sit. Stay. Good Spikes." Sombra chuckled patting the spikey hair before flopping into her chair and typing wildly on her screens.

"Where am I? What do you want?" Lena snapped, shifting into a more comfortable position sitting cross legged.

"Shhhh Spikes, I'm in the middle of something. And where do you think? You really think Overwatch would let me waltz around their base?"

Lena froze as this sunk in, okay so this was some sort of Talon base. No biggie, she would just need to get to an unlocked computer or her com and she could send word for backup. First she would need to get away from Sombra. And second... okay she wasn't sure what she would do afterwards but she could get to that later. Scooting along the floor Lena made her way over towards the door only to feel a yank on her jacket.

"Aww, come on Spikes where are you going? I thought we were having fun!" A gleeful chuckle teased, "Do I have to tie you to my desk?"

"I was just taking a stroll, after all you said you were working wouldn't want to be a bother. So I'll just nip out if you would be so kind as to point me towards the exit." Lena replied flippantly, rolling her eyes under the blindfold.

"Come on now, don't be like that. Do you know how annoying it was to get you out of there without anyone noticing? It takes a lot of effort to expand my camouflage to cover someone else."

Lena was dragged back towards Sombra's work station and true to her word, she produce a rope and anchored it to her desk the other end looping around Lena's waist. She sat there a moment before working her way to her feet and walking to the end of her rope. It gave her about 3 feet of leeway, okay she could work with this. Making her way back towards the tapping sounds Lena sat down on top of the desk, enjoying Sombra's annoyed exhale.

"So, Sombrero. Is this usually how you handle captive agents? You tie them to your desk?"

"Keep quiet or I'll add a gag to your ensemble of gear."

"Hmmph, I'm just making conversation. You're in charge after all. Does it look like I'm going anywhere like this?" Lena held up her bound arms as high as she could to illustrate her point

Sombra snorted and turned back to her screens when one fizzled out of her reach and she whirled around finding that bumbling time twerp laying on top of her desk. It took a moment for her to figure out what was happening before she shouted.

"What do you think you're doing mujer loca?!"

"What? I'm staying put!"

"Off off off! Do you have any idea how expensive these things are?!"

Sombra grabbed a magazine she had lying around and rolled it up swatting the Brit over her head until she sat up. Fuming Sombra hooked the panels back together and huffed running her fingers through her hair before tapping the screens again bringing up where she was at before. Lena came up behind the hacker and spoke.

"Oye! Are you sure I can't help in some way? I hate to just stand around leaving all the work to you."

"Aye! Chica I swear if you don't be quiet and stay out of my way... are... are you singing?"

Lena smirked at the Talon operative and continued to belt out God Save the Queen as off key as she could before dissolving into snickers at Sombra's indignant squawking.

"Wha? You sound stressed, you really need to get out more. Being a shut in can't be good for you. Why don't I take you down to the town, there's this amazing pub on the corner, well that's if you lot haven't blown it off the map yet. I gah!"

Lena yelped, as the rolled magazine found her head again and again. Ducking she moved out of the way laughing as she dodged Sombra's fury, taking satisfaction in the swear laden rant that followed. Her laughter was short lived when she came to a halt forgetting about the rope around her waist cutting her retreat short and back in arms length of Sombra. The magazine fell a few more times before the woman stalked off untying the rope from the desk. She took it and grabbed Lena by the straps of her accelerator and began dragging her out the door. They travelled down various hallways Sombra cutting off every sentence Lena started with harsh words she couldn't understand. The spunky Brit registered the sound of heavy footsteps passing by them followed by whispers but she wasn't given a chance to respond until another door opened and she was pulled through.

With a shove Lena fell back onto something soft, she wriggled sitting up and felt the rope Sombra had looping around her upper body before being tied off somewhere to her side.

"There! Now you're going to stay here puta and I swear if you touch anything!" Sombra let out a few exasperated grunts before breathing in deeply through her nose. "Let's see what she thinks of her gift. See you around, maybe."

With that Sombra left the room leaving Lena alone to wonder if that had been a mistake and who or what awaited her now. Tugging at her bonds she found the knots were secure so she let herself relax on what she was assuming was a bed. Minutes or even hours passed she wasn't sure how long it took but at some point she had fallen asleep. It wasn't until she heard the scraping of the sliding door open that she stirred with a new sense of unease. The door slid shut again and Lena could tell by the way the blindfold lit up near the edges that someone had turned the lights on.

Boots clicked ominously along the linoleum floor making Lena shrink down into the bed as the noise came to an end next to her. She winced as the blindfold was ripped from her head along with some of her hair. Her eyes snapped shut at the sudden flood of light and she looked to the floor. Slowly she opened her eyes and was met with the sight of familiar heeled boots. Swallowing hard she lifted her head eyes taking in the shapely legs clad in tight purple spandex, climbing up to full hips where the suit began to split open near her stomach. Knowing what was coming but unable to stop her eyes continued over the pale purple skin, up the half covered breasts she tried not to stare at, and finally resting on the neutral face with piercing yellow eyes.

Chapter Text

"I uh, h-hiyah Luv..." Lena smiled sheepishly, sinking farther into the bed under that cold stare.

Widowmaker continued to stare at the trussed up girl on her bed, her eyes gliding over the rudimentary but secure knots and she clicked her tongue hissing a single word. "Sombra."

She lifted her hand, a finger wavering over the comm in her ear before she thought better of it. Dropping her hand she instead crossed over to the bathroom and entered. Once inside she stared into the mirror trying to make sense of what was happening. One half of her was purring like a satisfied panther that had cornered its prey, but the other weaker half of herself was stirring up feelings of concern for the girl. Scowling to herself she banished those thoughts from her mind and went about her buisness.

Slipping from the suit with practised ease she stepped into the boiling waters of the shower feeling nothing. Knowing she would have to go out there sooner or later she still took the time to towel off and brush out her hair. Clad in nothing but a large white towel she exited back into the main room towards the dresser set into the wall. She knew those sappy brown eyes were on her the moment she entered, with good reason half of her purred. The girl had seen it time and again before being forced back down onto sheets that were not Widowmaker's. Foolish girl, letting the assassin into her home, her bed; submitting to her will, letting the monster take the reins to do as she pleased.

Widowmaker shook her head to clear it, it was always that damned girl's fault. She never felt indecision any hint of anything until that girl came waltzing in and mucked it up. Dropping the towel and stepping away Widowmaker leisurely rifled through the drawers pulling out underwear and a bra, followed by a plain shirt and form fitting yoga pants. Once dressed she knew it was time to deal with this new development. Sidling back over to the bed she lifted one manicured brow in expectation, enjoying how the brown haired girl squirmed under the strength of her gaze.

Lena couldn't help but stare, her face heating up as Widowmaker dropped the towel and got dressed. Once again that calculated golden stare was on her and she felt like she would drown in it as she fumbled for her words.

"Look Ameli..." Lena started but cut off with a sharp glare from Widowmaker, "R-right, Widowmaker. I'm just as confused as you are. I kinda... woke up. Like this."

She finished lamely wishing she could disappear into the covers. With a soft snort Widowmaker turned away in thought. Rolling her eyes she moved to the headboard and tugged the rope loose tossing it aside. A devilish smile reached her lips as she straddled the young Brit, eliciting a surprised squeak before a well placed look silenced her. Leaning over her she reached underneath the pillow closest to the bed's edge and drew out a slender blade, twirling it between her fingers thoughtfully as she felt Lena stir beneath her.

Tutting to herself Widowmaker slid the thin steel under a section of rope and with a quick flick of her wrist sliced through the thin straps. "My my, it seems this little fly is intent on being caught in every sort of web. Shall we see about cutting you loose?"

The sultry purr in her voice made Lena swallow hard, instinct making her body shy away from the deadly knife so close to her skin but her heart tried to reason that Widowmaker. No. Amelie wouldn't hurt her. At least, that's what she hoped. Widowmaker took her time, analyzing each knot and strap as she sliced through them, rolling her eyes at the little bow that had been added over the chronal accelerator attached to the girl's chest. Sombra was always one for unnecessary flare. Bits and pieces of rope were tossed aside as Widow worked, slowly making her way up Lena's sides and working her way towards her chest. She tapped the knife's point along the clunky metal of her anchor in time before sliding it under the last strap.

As the last bit of rope fell away Lena took a deep breath arching slightly off the bed and moving her arms and wrists to stimulate blood flow back into the aching muscles there. Unable to avoid it any longer she looked up and locked eyes with the sultry siren atop her. Settling back down on the bed Lena racked her brain for something to break the silence as it grew thicker with each passing moment.

"Thanks Luv, that was getting a little uncomfortable."

Widowmaker's grin turned predatory as she watched Lena stretch. "Hmm, but of course. The only ropes you should be tied up in are mine."

Lena's eyes grew wide as her face quickly turned several shades of red her ears burning with embarrassment. She sputtered unable to come up with a witty response before Widowmaker swung to the side getting off of her and replacing the knife under the pillow. Sitting up Lena scrubbed her hands over her face in a vain attempt to remove the color forming there and she risked a glance over at Widowmaker who had moved to the desk across the room and was scrolling through various light screens. Swinging her legs off the bed Lena sat there her hands nervously smoothing the blanket as she watched Widowmaker. Taking a deep breath she took a small jump off the bed and joined Widowmaker on the other side of the room. Lena could tell by the way the assassin's chair shifted slightly towards her that Widow was aware of her presence but her face never left the screen.

"So um, whatcha doin?"

Widowmaker let her eyes wander and give Lena a blank stare before turning back towards the screen. Giving up on conversation Lena slid down on the ground leaning back against the desk.

"Report."

Lena perked up at the single terse word tossed in her general direction but it was progress.

"Okay, what on? I was never good at writing up my own reports but I could totally help if you..."

Widowmaker looked down and lifted a brow giving Lena a look she interpreted as, do you really want to know what I just finished doing? A sinking feeling in her stomach, Lena pulled her knees up to her chest and set her head on it. She had felt a small bubble of hope seeing Widowmaker again, they had a past more than Widow could remember, and she thought that maybe the woman would help her. But it seems any sort of comradery they had developed would not show itself inside the serpent's nest.

It had become easier over time to draw that blasted woman from her shell when they met on the field, every time she found Widowmaker grappling through her window at some god forsaken hour late at night, but in here she might as well be a stone wall. Swallowing back frustration and hopelessness Lena rested her forehead against her knees burying her face in her thighs. Her arms wrapped around the underside of her legs as she curled in on herself trying to work a way out of this mess.

Widowmaker stared at the screen, mechanically detailing everything she had done and seen on her mission the dull work helping distract her from her intrusive thoughts for a time. Once the report was done, she found herself simply scrolling through the database to avoid the girl at her feet but her mind wouldn't let her.

"Come now, she's already here let's have some fun! We've been dying to break into that little Snips apartment anyhow, and now she's been hand delivered!" Widowmaker argued in her head.

At that Amelie railed, "How could you even think that? She's been brought here against her will and been tied for God knows how long...!"

"She likes being tied up!" Widow thundered before sneering, "Or don't you remember?"

Amelie was quiet before her voice came out softly, "Just look at her. She's been kidnapped, she's scared, and no doubt that is the farthest thing from her mind."

Widowmaker's gaze snapped down to the pitiful curled up ball of orange and brown next to her desk. Her inner voices quieted leaving Widowmaker blessedly alone inside her head. Rubbing her temples to ease the headache she always found after those two argued in; she continued to watch Tracer letting her eyes exam every inch of her noting the scuffs and rips on bits of her clothing. She drank in the helpless vulnerable position the Brit was in, there would be nothing she could do if Widow decided to grab her by the throat and end everything but something held her back. Shaking her head at the ridiculousness of it, she reached down and carded her fingers through those ridiculous spikes she insisted on perfecting every morning.

It took a moment to process what was going on but when she did her head snapped up and she stared wide eyed at Widowmaker delicately poised in her chair and continuing to run her fingers through Lena's brunette hair. The soothing feel helped ease Lean's frantic thoughts and she leaned into the hand as her eyes closed with a sigh. Inside Widowmaker snarled and Amelie let out a sigh of relief before the two were banished once more to the back of her mind. The two of them sat there in relative silence as Lena slowly began to uncoil and relax at Widow's attention. A low gurgle broke their silence and Lena sheepishly wrapped an arm around her stomach.

"You guys wouldn't happen to have a mess hall around here, would yah?"

Widowmaker snorted softly, "Oui, though I do not go down there often."

"Don't suppose you could show me the way?"

Rolling her eyes Widowmaker stood and gestured for Lena to as well. Quickly getting her feet under her Lena fell into step behind Widowmaker only to find herself led into the bathroom. She turned a questioning look to Widowmaker.

"You're filthy. Food will be brought later but right now you need to shower."

"Wha! I am not!" Lena objected, but the thought of a hot shower was incredibly tempting.

"Says the miscreant covered in rubble, blood, and sweat?"

Right. Lena had almost forgotten what she had been doing before she ended up here.

"Strip." When she saw Lena open her mouth to object she crossed over and gripped her jaw firmly digging her nails in. "That was not a request. Leave your clothes outside the door, I will get you new ones."

And with that Widowmaker left leaving Lena rubbing her jawline where the others nails had left indents. Christ fine, she thought as she slid out of her jacket and carefully set the chronal accelerator in a safe place before taking the rest of her clothes off. Folding them haphazardly she set them outside the door and hurried into the shower. Biting back a moan of relief as the hot water cascaded over her sore muscles Lena stood there a moment before reaching for the shampoo bottle. Curious she sniffed it before shrugging and lathering up, it smelled like Amelie so she was fine with it. She made sure to scrub herself down completely and spent the next 10 minutes simply soaking in the hot water and relaxing. In the mean time she had heard the door open and close again, so either Widowmaker was out there waiting for her or she dropped off some clothes. Lena hoped it was the latter, she was too overwhelmed for Widowmaker's games. Turning off the water she slipped out of the shower and found the stack of clothes on the sink. Hurriedly tugging them on she found them a little too long in the legs and arms but she could live with it. Strapping on the accelerator she exited the bathroom and found herself alone.

The thought of escaping crossed her mind but the sheer improbability of success kept her there. Shrugging Lena scooped up the bits of rope that had been cut from her and made a neat little pile on the desk. Crossing over to the only chair in the room she sat and waited. Widow reappeared not too long afterward followed by an Omnic plastered with the Talon insignia carrying a tray. Setting the tray down on the desk he then began taking the bedding and replaced it with a fresh set Widow provided, after which he left.

Before Lena could ask Widow lifted the tray lid and an array of food was before her. Against her will her stomach growled again and she dug in with only the slightest hesitation that it might have been poisoned. Her meal finished Lena piled everything back on the tray and glanced at the clock on the computer, it was nearly midnight. Just how long was I out for she wondered.

"I uh, Luv. What day is it?"

Widowmaker thought a moment before replying coolly, "The 18th, though it will be the 19th not too long from now. Why?"

Lena's stomach clenched. "Three days..."

When Widow's brows furrowed Lena followed up her last statement, she leapt up her hands clenched. "Three. Bloody. Days! Ohhhh, Ang is gonna kill me! This is bad. Really bad! What happened while I was out! I don't feel any different. Do I look different? Would I know if they messed with my head? Crap! Sombra said she disabled my blink what else of my tech did she mess with!"

Lena began pacing back and forth muttering to herself. She was so wrapped up in her own rambling that she didn't notice Widowmaker stand and place herself in Lena's path. Next thing she knew she and run into Widowmaker; she jumped in surprise and looked up at the taller woman in need of some reassurance. Widowmaker tilted Lena's head this way and that and peered into her eyes before shrugging.

"Did you notice anything off about the rest of your body when you showered? The changes start in the eyes 90% of the time if they were messing around with your head but you look fine to me."

This did not ease her fear as much as Lena hoped and she continued to pace the floor. Widowmaker grew tired of the Brit's constant movement and snatched her by the back of her shirt and pulled her onto the bed.

"I have just spent a week on the road. I am finally in my own room. And you are tearing a hole in the floor. Lay down and shut up."

Lifting her hands in surrender Lena curled up under the blanket, thoughts of what could happen preventing her from her usual deep slumber. Rolling onto her side she found herself staring at Widow's back, the other's slow breathing helped pull her into a light sleep.

She felt like she had just closed her eyes when a hand on her shoulder shook her awake again. Jumping up hands balled into fists before she remembered where she was, she stared up at Widow only to have a soft bundle hit her in the face obstructing her view. Pulling the fabric from her head she realized it was another set of clothes and she began to strip tugging on the fresh ones.

"So Luv, now what?"

"I am going out. That's what. And you are going to stay here and behave until I get back." She leveled Lena with a stern glare, "Do not touch anything. I'll have food sent."

With that Widow disappeared out the door and Lena flopped back onto the bed curling up muttering to herself, "Roight. Bye Luv, catch yah later Luv. Totally could have left a note Luv."

She yawned and fought to find that uneasy sleep she had managed to get while she waited for whatever it is Widow had to do.

Chapter Text

Widowmaker stalked through the halls, a thunderstorm in a bottle. Her anger and suspicions driving her forward she found her target and honed in. Slamming her hands down on Sombra's desk she let her presence be known.

"What did you do?"

"Do what chica? You'll have to be more specific, I've done a lot of things." Sombra replied nonchalantly with a chuckle.

"To Le... Tracer. Why is she here and why has she been here for three days?" Widowmaker snapped harshly after nearly slipping up.

"Ohohoho, that one? What? Did you not like your gift? You've been complaining lately that you don't get to see that pretty little girlfriend of yours so I arranged a playdate."

"I have said no such thing!" Her voice cracked like a whip at the accusation.

"Pssh, listen chica. You get into such a mood when you haven't tossed her around in a while. I'm doing us all a favor here."

Widowmaker continued to glare, not believing Sombra for a moment.

"Ay, believe me or not that's your choice."

"Three days. She said she was out for three days. Explain that."

"Hey, I didn't expect it to be so easy to snap her up, no wonder you like to do it. I thought it would take longer and when it didn't and you weren't back I wasn't wasting my efforts. So she was asleep for a while, big deal." Sombra scoffed offhand rolling her eyes, "So suspicious, why do you care anyway?"

Widowmaker's eyes narrowed, why did she care? Amelie cried out first, of course you care do you want her to end up like us? Visciously snapping a lid on those thoughts before she did something stupid, Widowmaker grabbed Sombra by the collar and tugged her forward.

"If I find out you did anything to her, you had better be as good at disappearing as you claim to be because I will personally see to it that your days will see no respite from my fury." She hissed from between clenched teeth.

Letting go of her collar Sombra unceremoniously dropped back into her chair where she scoffed, "Yeah yeah yeah, I'd like to see you try Chica. And you're welcome by the way."

Chapter Text

Widowmaker continued out of the room, forcing herself to get some distance between her and Sombra. While it would be satisfying to put her in her place, Widowmaker would gain nothing and lose a lot getting on her bad side. As always when her thoughts were troubling her, she found herself outside the range simulator. Flipping the required switches and retrieving a sniper rifle from the wall she let her emotions sink away until it was just her, the rifle, and the targets. Shooting until she had buried everything deep inside, she gave the rifle back to the omnic maintaining the range, and made her way back to her quarters.

The doors slid open and she was greeted by the sight of Lena throwing a myriad of paper airplanes around the room. Her scowl grew when one of the planes veered towards and bounced off her temple falling to the floor.

"Is this what you call not touching anything?"

Lena burst out laughing at Widowmaker's incredulous scowl, piecing together what happened with her facial expression and the plane with the bent tip on the ground.

"What? It was all in the trash anyway. You were gone and obviously I couldn't just waltz out of 'ere and have a look around."

"Clean this up. And quickly I have places to be."

"Alright alright, don't get your knickers in a twist."

Lena gathered up the paper scraps and tossed them in the trash bin followed by a mocking salute to Widowmaker. At least she's back to her annoying self, for now, Widowmaker thought. Rolling her eyes Widowmaker led Lena out of the room and deeper into the catacombs of the base. Lena looked around with interest, even if they were just dingy grey steel walls. Her curiosity peeked when they went through a double set of doors and she found herself in a room about as big as a soccer field and covered in rubbery black mats.

Brow furrowed she turned to ask a question when the doors at the other end of the room opened and a squad of black and grey swathed soldiers entered. Lena quickly figured out who was in charge based on the fact he was barking orders like a dying seal. Widowmaker looked on unimpressed as parts of the group peeled off and began sparring or practicing on different mats around the room. A good third of the group made their way over towards them and the man in charge narrowed his eyes at Lena begrudgingly addressing Widowmaker.

"And who is this?" He asked sourly, shrewdly looking Lena up and down like a cut of meat.

"A forgettable annoyance." She answered coolly, her steadfast gaze letting him know that was all he was going to get.

Huffing the man drew himself up and snapped at the assembled men behind him. Widowmaker took a place on the mat in front of them as another man drew a chalk line across the black surface. Sitting off to the side Lena watched as the men tried in vain to fight their way past the line to the other side but none succeeded. Hardly breaking a sweat Widowmaker continued to look bored even as they switched to actually sparring. Knocking aside the soldiers like gnats she began to take them on in teams of two and still they all landed flat on their backs if with a little more effort.

"Isn't there anyone who can even put up more of a fight than a wet paper sack! This is ridiculous! She is just one woman and you lot are fighting like infants! I'll eat my hat if any one of you can last more than 5 minutes!" The commander howled throwing his hands up in the air.

Lena perked up and raised her hand. "Oye, General Loudmouth, I'll take yah up on that offer!"

Whirling around Lena could have sworn she saw murder in his eyes, "You?! You?! Do you really think you'd last even a minute?" He let out a loud belly laugh, "Hell I'd like to see you try."

"Alright then I will! Just be ready to start chewing on that ridiculous thing you call a hat." Lena snipped, jumping up and jogging onto the mat.

Widowmaker raised a brow as Lena took up a fighting stance across from her, "Are you sure about this cherié? There will be no last minute escape for you."

"Ha, I don't need my chronal accelerator to take you down!" Lena quipped as she moved forward feigning to the left before aiming for the right.

Widowmaker easily knocked her fist aside, "So entirely predictable."

Lena and Widowmaker began their dance in earnest, paralleling each others moves as they tried to get the upper hand. Wincing as Widowmaker's fist connected with her shoulder she used the backwards momentum to twist the other way ending up behind her. Lashing out with a kick she caught Widowmaker on the small of her back sending her staggering forward. Whirling to face her Widowmaker closed in as they traded blows, Widomaker's landing more than Lena's as time went on. Lena made the mistake of exposing her torso. In a flash she felt Widowmaker's foot connect with her ribcage and she prayed that the crack she heard was from somewhere else in the room as pain blossomed there.

Wheezing as the breath left her lungs she staggered backwards still bringing up her arms to block Widowmaker as she advanced again. Sucking in several breaths Lena danced forward accepting the risk of being caught and managed to land a solid jab to Widowmaker's stomach. Even as she winced, more from the force behind it than the actual pain, Widowmaker gripped Lena's arm and twisted it behind her back. Pulling the girl in close she swept her leg under Lena's bringing the Brit to her knees. Once down Widowmaker's arm snaked around Lena's throat, holding her securely and cutting off her airway with steady pressure. Releasing Lena's arm Widowmaker tangled her now free hand into that brunette mop of hair pulling back to hiss in her ear.

"Do you feel like giving up Pet, or shall we continue?"

Lena gasped uselessly as she felt her vision become fuzzy and the lights dim. She brought her hands up and tapped several times on Widowmaker's arm, hoping that that sign for mercy was universal and was rewarded with Widowmaker loosening her grip allowing Lena to suck in a breath.

Smirking against Lena's ear Widowmaker purred giving it a light kiss. "Good girl."

Widowmaker stood completely releasing Tracer letting her fall onto her hands and knees gasping in ragged breaths, her face red for several reasons. Coughing Lena staggered to her feet one hand cupping her throat.

"H-How long was tha?" She croaked out.

Everyone was staring, the other matches having come to a standstill to watch the two of them try and destroy the other. The commander puffed up nostrils flaring in fury at his squad being shown up by this strange woman.

Begrudgingly he answered, "Seven and a half minutes."

"Ha! Hope you like the taste of polyester and cotton for dinner!" Lena smirked in triumph.

Before either one could have a go at the other Widowmaker grabbed Lena by her hair again, her voice serious. "Enough. Come."

A shiver running down her spine Lena nodded numbly shooting one last look to the soldiers she jogged after Widowmaker. She navigated the maze of hallways barely and managed to catch up with Widowmaker before she got lost. Falling into step behind her Lena rubbed her throat wondering if it was going to bruise. Widowmaker was silent so Lena decided it would probably be in her best interest to be quiet as well.

Plus her throat was still burning from that chokehold, she was going to have to ask Widowmaker how to do that later. Widowmaker opened the door and Lena hurriedly ducked inside feeling Widowmaker's predatory gaze on her back. She managed to turn around at the sound of the door closing before Widowmaker was on her.

Their lips crashed together and Lena's eyes closed. Her arms circled around Widowmaker's waist pulling her closer and she felt the taller woman smirk into the kiss. Long delicate fingers tangled into the deflated spikes and pulled backwards exposing Lena's neck. Kissing along the Brit's jawline she nipped gently before moving down to her neck. Sighing softly Lena leaned into Widowmaker as her other hand began to wander tugging up Lena's shirt.

Shivering at the coolness of Widow's hand as it moved along her stomach and up to her breast Lena inhaled sharply at the contrast of her soft touch and the sudden stinging pain of teeth digging in roughly where her neck met her shoulder. Stifling a moan Lena backed up keeping her arms around the other to lead them towards the bed. Amused Widowmaker let the smaller woman go eagerly to her bed once they were close enough she moved forward quickly pinning Lena to the bed.

The kisses came hot and fast Widowmaker's hands wandering downward and tugging off Lena's pants and tossing them aside. Oh sure, save your clothes but mine get ripped to shreds Lena thought. That was the last coherent thought she had as she began to squirm beneath Widowmaker's hand. Breathless, pleading cries echoed off the walls as Lena's hips jerked up into those satisfying digits building her up. So close, so so close and yet Widow stopped. Whimpering she pressed against Widowmaker a semi silent plea to continue.

"On your knees."

Shaking but her mind too hazy with need to care about her lack of coordination she managed to get off the bed without falling flat on her face. Kneeling down she quietly waited as Widowmaker disrobed, her eyes immediately going over every curve drinking her in. Burying her fingers in Lena's hair once more she tugged the time hopper forward guiding her to where she wanted. Lena bit back her moan and looked up at Widowmaker hesitantly lifting her hands, when she didn't receive any rebuke she placed them on either pale purple thigh to steady herself even as the hand in her hair anchored her. Nuzzling forward she set to work, every right move rewarded with a quiet noise of pleasure spurring her onwards. Her own needs neglected at the moment but she knew better than to finish herself off without being told, she learned that lesson the hard way. Widowmaker's grip tightened on her hair as she got closer, Lena's soft whimper lost to her work as Widowmaker gasped out Lena's name.

Panting softly Lena looked up at her lover memorizing the way she looked after coming undone by her. Widowmaker reached down and pulled Lena up onto her lap her hand delving back down to where she knew Lena needed her most. She couldn't stop herself from moaning now as Widowmaker redoubled her efforts, Lena's hips rolling in time with her thrusts. Her nails digging into Widowmaker's shoulders Lena cried out in release, shivering she leaned against Widowmaker her body limp. Brushing away a lock of hair Widowmaker kissed Lena's forehead shifting on the bed laying them both down and pulling the blanket over them both.

It was a God awful time in the morning that Widowmaker shook Lena awake again. Groaning Lena looked up bleary eyed at the assassin and had another bundle of clothing thrown at her face. Lena rolled out of bed grumbling to herself and it wasn't until she was halfway dressed that she realized she wasn't pulling on black or grey yoga pants, it was her orange spandex. A little more alert now Lena finished dressing, more than a little relieved to have her bombers jacket back. Running her fingers over the familiar leather she furrowed her brow and she turned to find Widowmaker holding a blindfold. Knowing it was pointless to resist she let her blind her again and she was led out of the room and down the dead silent halls.

She felt like they were climbing higher and was rewarded with a breath of fresh air as they left the compound. Breathing deeply Lena was brought across the tarmac and loaded into a Helicopter Widowmaker securing her in before herself. Lena felt the reassuring sense of the chopper taking off and she was in the air. Judging by how cool it was and the dead silence under the chopping rotors Lena figured it was either late at night or the very early hours of the morning. The helicopter began its descent and she couldn't help but wonder where they were now. Widowmaker helped her up and brought her to the edge of the Helicopter belly. With the bobbing motions and steady sound of the motors running Lena could tell they hadn't landed even as Widowmaker removed the blindfold.

With a shove Widowmaker sent Lena plunging from the chopper and tumbling along the rough, sloped concrete top of a high rise building. Skidding to a stop Lena winced as she stood, her clothing scuffed and dirty she could feel the start of road rash on her hands and knees. She jumped up as the Helicopter peeled away Widowmaker mockingly blowing her a kiss leaving Lena dumbfounded and silent until they were a speck on the horizon.

The sun began to dawn over a familiar cityscape and Lena sighed pulling out her phone from the bag that Widowmaker had dropped after her. Bringing up the home screen she flicked through the contact list until she reached the number she needed. It rang in her hands for what seemed an eternity before an achingly familiar voice answered.

"Hey Em... do you think it would be possible to give me a lift? I may have gotten in over my head." Lena asked rubbing the back of her neck.

Chapter Text

The ride was tensely quiet as Emily drove back down the streets to her apartment, her hands white knuckled on the wheel. Looking around to make sure no one was watching them she ushered Lena inside and locked the door before finally speaking.

"Care to explain what the frilly hell is going on Oxton?!" Emily barely managed to stop herself from shouting.

"Okay look before you get upset, this isn't what it looks like." Lena began, holding up her hands innocently.

"Bullshit!"

"Okay fine! Yes I've gotten myself into another shit show alright? Happy now?!?"

Lena threw her hands up in the air in exasperation before sitting down with her elbows on her knees and holding her head in her hands, wincing slightly as she hunched over her bruised ribs.

"Almost. Tell me what happened." Emily's voice softened taking in Lena's vulnerable sloach, something she had dreaded seeing the carefree Brit do when they had been together.

"Tha... that's just it Em. I don't entirely know myself." Lena's broken whisper hung in the room like a cloud.

Emily sat down next to Lena and laid a hand on the dusty bombers jacket, "Well, start with what you do know. And take it from there."

Taking a shuddering breath Lena thought hard before beginning her tale. She skirted around the fact she had joined a group of free Lancers for hire on some under ground op and went on to say how she blacked out, there was possibly another person there but she couldn't be sure it was all hazy. She had woken up in a Talon base, been held for several days, before being thrown out in the early morning, and now she was here. Through it all Emily nodded, her brow creasing in concern.

"Lena, you've got to tell Angela about this."

"What? Are you barking mad? That'll lead me to being locked up and them throwing away the key! I'm fine. Amelie doesn't think they did anything..." Lena cut off hurriedly, flinching as she saw conflicting emotions race across Emily's face at the name.

Taking a deep breath Emily schooled her expression, "Lena, but what if she's wrong? You told me yourself what happened to... that woman. How no one noticed until it was too late."

"It's okay, I'll keep to myself until I'm sure. I just need some time to think."

"Well you better think fast because Angela will be here in about 10 minutes."

"What?!?"

"I let her know you had popped up again after you called. She's on her way now. And she said if you don't stay put you'll be in a world of trouble."

"This is bad, this is bad, so so bad." Lena hopped up pacing back and forth.

"If you're not going to tell her what happened you have to think of something."

"R-right... wait! Widowmaker of course! So here's the thing. I was with that uh, group and thought I had a shot at catching her. So I went solo and after a few days it ended how we all knew it would."

"With you bruised and scuffed on my doorstep again?" Emily asked dryly.

Sheepishly Lena nodded, she had shown up on several occasions disheveled and more often than not bloodied needing a place to crash. Emily had always been there and no matter how much Lena's reckless tactics irked her she could never turn her away. That was one of the many reasons she had the Swiss Doctor on speed dial. She could use a first aid kit to patch up a small cut but with the baggage Lena brought home it was best she went to a professional. A solid couple knocks on the door announced Angela's arrival and as with routine she opened the door carrying a travel med kit just in case.

"I see you're back in one piece young lady. You have some explaining to do."

"Why 'ello to you too Ang."

"What happened this time?"

"Well you see, there were these rumors that Widowmaker was going to be around those parts and I thought I might as well give it a jab an...!"

"You went after a high profile Talon operative without clearance or backup?!? Oxton you are in for it now!" Angela had crossed the room and grabbed Lena by the ear hauling her over to the kitchen counter.

"Ow ow ow, Doc look it's not like that!"

"That's not what you told me." Emily snorted, a wry smile on her lips as Lena was scolded.

"Okay maybe, but listen I was doing fine but it was a trick and I just have some bruises I'll be ack!"

Lena jumped yelping as Angela pressed her fingers against her ribcage, "Just as I thought. Lena if you're going to try and feign non injury in front of a Doctor, try not to baby the area that hurts. Come on, I'll take you back to the lab and get you patched up."

Holding her hands up in surrender Lena grumbled placing an arm tenderly across her stomach to guard her ribs from any further investigation. Emily and Angela were speaking quietly, the doctor placing a hand on the red head's shoulder before heading towards the door. Lena made her way over to Angela, but first she had to make it past Emily. Nervously Lena hesitated and was shocked as Emily pulled her into a hug. Recovering quickly she responded in kind with a smile of relief.

"I am glad you're alright, but if you want your story to stay plausible I recommend covering that mark on your neck." Emily whispered before pulling back and walking Lena to the door.

Eyes wide Lena tugged her jacket collar closer as her face burned red. Damn it Widowmaker she thought hurrying out the door and into Angela's car. The car ride was uneventful, the Doctor mercifully taking corners slowly sparing Lena's ribs the constriction of the seat belt. Pulling up to the barrier she gave the guard hers and Lena's credentials, with a curious look the guard waved them in. Pulling straight up to the lab Lena furrowed her brow.

"What? Not dragging me straight to Ana or Morrison for a bollocking?"

Angela snorted and shepherded Lena inside the building. "That can wait, I need to get an x-ray of those ribs. You know the drill by now Oxton."

Lena nodded and unbuckled her chronal accelerator, reluctantly slipping off her jacket as well. Pulling off her overshirt she left herself in a tank top and her leggings. Angela brought her over to the x-ray machine and had her contort in different poses as she snapped photos. Once those were taken she was waved off to sit on the table until Angela came back and her mind was racing trying to think of a way to cover up those marks. Mind racing a mile a minute and still she could find no favorable option to cover it so she was stuck just waiting it out.

Angela returned clicking her tongue as she came to a stop next to Lena's injured side, lifting the tank and looking them over again. "You're quite lucky, they aren't broken or cracked. But they are badly bruised, so I want you to take it easy. No running, jumping, lifting heavy objects, twisting into weird positions, and certainly no training. Take these and I'll fill a script for you for the pain."

Lena gratefully took the pills from Angela and downed them quickly, tenderly putting a hand on her bruised side. "Thanks Doc, you're a life saver."

Rolling her eyes Angela continued to scribble on her clipboard and moved forward. "Now, is there anything else I should know? Any other injuries?"

"Just some road rash from tumbling about, I still have some ointment from last time."

"Okay Oxton, this is being noted in your file so that you aren't running off on some other fools errand until I say so. And I mean it, no training. If I have to lock your code I will have Athena do so." She affixed Lena with a hard stare that cut to the core warning her against any argument.

Hands up innocently Lena tried to reassure her, "Yes ma'am I understand."

"Come back in an hour or so, and I should have those pain killers put together for you."

Nodding Lena got up and gingerly pulled her clothing back on, and nestled the chronol accelerator back in place. She made to leave, her hand on the door handle when Angela spoke once more.

"And Oxton... take care of yourself. I will speak to Jack about this."

Lena swallowed and croaked out an affirmative answer before making her way back down towards the living quarters.

Chapter Text

It had been about a week since her last rendezvous with Widowmaker that had ended in being tossed from the Helicopter and Lena was going stir crazy. After a royal chewing out from everyone, from Winston all the way to the top of the chain Jack. All incredulous that she would do something so reckless but thankfully believing her story. Guess running off in the middle of battle to go pistol to rifle with the assassin multiple times before made it a plausible cover story this time around. Angela gave her at least another 2 weeks before she could even be considered fit for duty again so Lena convinced them to let her return to her apartment in King's Row at least she wouldn't be in the way there, and she would be far from trouble for the most part.

Sprawled out comfortably on the couch, one leg tossed over and hanging off the back, she held the ice pack to her dull ache over her ribs letting the cold soothe the injury. Lena was irritated with how it kept her moving at a slow pace, it was maddening. Flipping through the same channels for the fourth time she let out an exasperated sigh and winced as a sharp lance of pain cut across her temple.

"Bloody headache. Fifth one this week." Lena shook her head and reluctantly rolled herself off the couch and shuffled into the kitchen seeking out some aspirin.

Downing it with a swig of water she shrugged and started rummaging through the cupboards looking for something to eat. The pain cut across her head again and she cursed the medicine to get to work quicker leaning against the counter rubbing her temple. She started pacing slowly her head looking up and staring at the door every few laps. Unbenounced to her, Lena had grabbed her accelerator on the third lap, the sixth brought her jacket to her hand, and by the ninth her hand was on the doorknob before she snapped out of it.

She froze trying to recall what was happening, why she had just tried to leave there was no where for her to be. Or was there? She winced gripping her head in her hands as the headache spiked. Shaking her head she hung her jacket on the back of the chair and trudged back to her room. Docking the accelerator on the charger she lay down in bed closing her eyes letting sleep take over.

Lena began to feel restless as the week progressed. She would be out on an errand and would suddenly find herself walking down random streets searching for something. How she got to where she was a total blank as she made her way back to her flat.

Kicking off her shoes when she got back after straying from her trip to the store three times today she made her way to the medicine cabinet grabbing some of the stronger pain meds Angela had given her. Her ribs hadn't needed them after that first week but regular aspirin wasnt even touching these headaches anymore. Swallowing two Lena went about her buisness making dinner. Cleaning up was a breeze when you're only cooking for one and she found herself dropping the accelerator on the bed as she stepped into the shower.

Getting dressed she fired up the holopad on her desk flipping through various news articles bored when she felt the hair on her neck stand up. Something felt off when she had come back into the bedroom but she hadn't been able to put her finger on it, but hearing a rustling noise farther into the apartment she stiffened straining to listen.

The bedroom door opened as Lena stood to investigate, a gloating voice called out tauntingly. "You really need to get better locks for this place. Even a child with a paper clip could get chica."

Lena scrambled backwards with a yelp trying to reach her pistols or at least her accelerator. She was not given the opportunity. Sombra seemed to materialize in front of her holding the precious anchoring device in her hands.

"Give up chica or I'm sending this thing out the window."

Lena froze eyes wide in fear. Shakily she lifted her hands in surrender and Sombra smiled.

"Ohoho, good girl Spikes. Come along. She's been expecting you. Never thought you could resist this long."

Lena scowled and pulled on some shoes glancing worridly at the disheveled apartment before following Sombra outside into a black vehicle. To keep her in line Sombra kept the window next to her open, the accelerator loosely in her lap, one flick of her arm and it would go sailing out into the road. As they travelled Sombra grew restless and began fiddling with the technology in her lap before looking up.

"Hey Spikes, put your hands behind your back."

"Why would I?!" Lena cut off as Sombra held the accelerator up to the open window and she quickly complied.

With a quick hand signal the silent soldier next to Lena leaned over and cuffed her hands in place before moving down and cuffing her ankles as well. Once Tracer was restrained Sombra popped the near invisible hatch on the metal and began rearranging the contents and slipping in some of her own.

"Hey! Don't mess with that! What are you doing!?"

Lena's cries fell on deaf ears as Sombra continued to disassemble and reconfigure Lena's lifeline. They pulled up just as Sombra slid the hatch closed again a satisfied smile in place.

"New record!" She praised herself, slinging it over her shoulder like a backpack sidling out of the car.

Lena was dragged along by two soldiers into a secret entrance and down long corridors until they reached a set of stark white doors.

"Heyo Doctor Nerd, I brought that package you requested." Sombra announced founding down into one of the spinning chairs.

Lena glared as she hung there between two silent guards awaiting her fate.

"Oh, is that so? Thank you, Sombra you are dismissed."

"Anytime, let me know if the bug needs any tweaking." Sombra tossed the accelerator onto the desk and as she passed by Lena she smirked patting her hair, "Good luck Spikes. You'll need it."

Once Sombra was gone that eerily calm Irish brogue purred to life. "Well, well, well. Shall we begin?"

Lena paled as Moira stepped into the light, discarding a bloodstained apron, and donning a fresh one.

Chapter Text

Fear.

Rough hands strapped her to the table. The cold metal eating away at her warmth through the thin material of her clothes.

Pain.

That's all she could feel. Needles in and out. Tubes, wires, sensors all over her.

Numb.

Her mind went blank after the screaming died down. There was nothing, a switch had been flipped. She stared listlessly up at the ceiling with empty eyes.

Nothing.

Everything went black.

Chapter Text

Widowmaker made a breathy sound of irritation. What could that meddlesome doctor want now? Her check ups were not due for another month at least, but nevertheless there was some important meeting that she was forced to attend. Stalking silently down the hall she made her way past terrified assistants that quaked under her sharp gaze and stern irritated expression. She did not bother to say anything, they leapt from her path the moment she was spotted; they knew better than to get in the way of a lion on the prowl.

Moira sat at the head of the table her usual sadistic half smile plastered in place as Widowmaker entered. To her left was a disinterested Sombra, fiddling with her holopad, and on the right the usual stoic Reaper, his mask keeping any and all thoughts a mystery. Widowmaker's gaze swept the room and she settled daintily into the chair next to the black grim spector.

"Ah, now that everyone is here... Shall we begin?" Moira leaned forward, steepling her fingers and resting her chin on them.

Reaper's gravelly voice broke the following silence. "What now O'Deorain? I have things to do other than listen to you prattle on."

"Like what Reaps? Skulking down the halls and shouting boo at the guards?" Sombra cackled finally looking up from her holopad.

"Soooombra!!" Reaper growled starting to stand when Moira waved him off.

"Enough of that. I do not want anything to detract from this moment of triumph!" Moira snapped impatiently shooting a glare to Sombra who shrugged it off.

A serene smile settled on Moira's face, running a hand over her hair to smooth her ruffled feathers. "As I was saying. Today is a wonderful day for science, and for Talon..."

Widowmaker leaned back in her seat tuning Moira's self serving monologue out until she heard something about the downfall of Overwatch.

"And so, without further ado, I would like you to meet your newest recruit..." Moira stood a mad gleam of triumph in her eye, she spoke towards the back of the room. "Slipstream! Front and center!"

The name piqued some unbidden thought in Widowmaker's memory but her mind went blank as the door on the far end of the room opened and a short, twiggy girl clad in black and red marched through to stand at Moira's side. Widowmaker stiffened in her seat and forced herself to keep a neutral expression as she saw Moira preening over Tracer, saying it was her finest work yet.

There was something odd about Tracer, not just that the do gooder was now in the snakes den, but she seemed off. The chipper way she carried herself, the twinkle and gleam of hope in her eyes, boundless enthusiasm, it was all gone. Extinguished.

"Through hard work and perseverance, science has prevailed!" Moira cooed, her nails drawing down Tracer's chin; the girl did not react.

Reaper had stilled next to her, Widowmaker could have sworn he looked like he saw a ghost despite the mask covering his face. His clawed hands slammed on the table with a resounding clatter, his voice dark and low.

"What have you done Moira?"

"I have simply made her better dear friend, as I did with you. Both. Of. You." Moira's gaze shifted to an impassive Widowmaker who stared back as blank as the scientist's new doll.

"I will not partake in this death wish of yours. You know they will not take this sitting down O'Deorain. And I will not clean up the mess."

Reaper shoved his chair away sending it sprawling behind him as he spun on his heel, his cloak fanning behind him as he stormed from the room.

"Bahaha such dramatics. Shouldn't have expected much from that pendejo Doctor Nerd. Well, this was much more fun than I anticipated. Buuuut, unlike Goth Lord Death I actually have things to do, secrets to steal, money to launder, you get the picture. Catch yah later Spikes!"

Sombra was the next to leave, giving Tracer a mocking two finger salute like the poster girl always did, before cackling and exiting the room tapping furiously at her holopad again. Now, it was just Widowmaker, Moira, and...

Moira turned a serene gaze to Widowmaker, a wide grin splitting her face. "Ahhh, he never did understand that in order to achieve greatness sacrifices must be made. Isn't that right mo rinceoir?

Widowmaker blinked slowly before standing and making her way towards Moira and Tracer. Slowing as she got closer she walked a few circles around the annoying girl looking her up and down, studying her like she would prey. All the while Moira had a maniacal smile on her face, watching Widowmaker admire her handiwork.

"Tell me dear, how do you feel about it? Your enemy, greatest annoyance, now an unwitting chess piece for our own ends."

Widowmaker came to a stop between Tracer and Moira, her back to the mad scientist in case her face should betray her. "I feel nothing at all."

A breathy chuckle left Moira and she placed her hands on Widowmaker's shoulders. "Very good. As it should be..." her grip tightened squeezing the leather clad shoulders as she leaned in hissing lightly in Widow's ear. "Wouldn't want any... distractions to take you away from your master's, mo rinceoir álainn."

Widowmaker remained impassive not even bothering to address Moira's veiled jab. Instead she reached out much as Moira had and dragged her nails across the soft jawline before digging them in and holding the girl's head still, turning it this way and that.

"Why does Tra... Slipstream not react. Surely you do not expect a doll to be much help if you expect her to dismantle Overwatch."

Moira released her and clapped her hands in delight, "Ah yes! This is, simply put, a default mode. It has its uses, such as less lip and unwavering obedience but cannot process anything outside the scope of her orders. On your knees."

At the command the girl in Widow's grasp collapsed like a puppet whose strings were cut, falling to her knees in front of Widowmaker staring up with blank eyes. Widow let go with a sneer, turning to face Moira as she continued to explain.

"She is the perfect soldier, does not question orders and will complete them without hesitation even if she's told to starve herself to death. Unwavering loyalty. Of course, that is all. She cannot handle a situation as it develops without explicit orders."

"So, what was your solution." Not so much a question but an open statement.

"Why, a free mode of course. Still takes orders but has the ability to adapt. Seek out a solution to meet her ends. But, a simple touch and back to a puppet she goes. Go on, she is programmed to listen to you. English, French either will do. After all, she will be your partner for your remaining missions. Wouldn't do to have her needing confirmation from myself along the way, I am far too busy for that."

Widowmaker contemplated a moment, looking down at the girl at her feet before speaking. "Se lever."

Slipstream stood up alert, waiting.

"Tourner autour."

Turning on a heel, the brunette spun to face the other side of the room, giving Widowmaker a good view of her ass.

"Et encore."

Spinning again Slipstream once more faced Widowmaker. A small grin graced her face, if only this annoying Brit had obeyed like this before perhaps she wouldn't be in this predicament to begin with.

Chapter Text

Widow walked down the hall, the click of her heeled boots the only noise she made lost in her thoughts. Glancing over her shoulder once she spotted Slipstream trotting behind her like an obedient pup, a long vacant look in the young girl's eyes. Bringing her gaze back in front she made her way back to her quarters. She made it halfway across her floor only to realize Slipstream had frozen at the entrance eyes blankly staring at her.

"Get in here." Widow rolled her eyes, Moira was right this thing could not handle change.

Once the black clad girl was inside Widow crossed back and closed the door behind Slipstream. The Brit stood stock still, staring straight ahead that glassy eyed stare unnerving to meet. Taking a breath Widow cast a critical eye over the new piece of metal affixed to Tracer's neck. The sleek metal was only a few inches long and hardly a quarter inch thick, at least that's all that protruded from the skin.

Reaching up Widow stroked a finger along the pink tinged flesh bordering the invasive device. Curiosity got the better of her and she let her nails trail gently along the undamaged flesh of Tracer's neck, carefully concealed shock boiled up inside her as the usually reactive girl did not move.

"You'll have to do better than that araña, I doubt anything other than pulling the flesh from her bones would override that programming." A voice crackled behind them.

Widow's face twisted in a snarl as she whirled around glaring at the now humming with life computer screen. "Sombra."

A purple skull flashed across the screen before fizzling out and Sombra's face took its place. "Hola. You likey? Felt like I should check in. Moira doesn't exactly have the flare it takes to hand deliver such a tasty gift as Tracer, oh my apologies, Slipstream as myself, but I'll admit she's got some balls pulling this off."

Widow strode over to the computer anger etched into her expression. "Sombra, I warned you. If you had anything to do with this..."

"Ya ya, I better be good at hiding cause blah blah blah. I remember. But it wasn't me. Weeell not entirely, Moira took my blueprints for my teleporters and translated from there to override the Brit. It's not my fault the Monkey can't make an encrypted device worth shit."

"What do you want. Come to gloat?"

"Oh no chica, just checking in, you're always so hard to read. Well, so long as you haven't been off gallivanting with your little girlfriend recently. Aaaaaadiós!" Sombra chuckled quickly disconnecting before Widow could respond.

Snarling to herself, Widow made a mental note to find a way to get back at Sombra and turned back to Tracer. Throughout the entire exchange she hadn't moved just staring straight ahead. This wouldn't do. Lifting a hand she placed her forefinger on the sensor bar on one side but her thumb hesitated above the body of it, unsure of how Slipstream would differ from Tracer. It seems there was only one way to find out, and she pressed her thumb down.

A soft hum spurred to life in the device, she could feel it in her fingers for a split second before it went quiet again. Dropping her hand she waited. It took a moment, but she saw those stiff shoulders slowly sag before they were rolled several times. Slipstream stretched, cracking her neck twice, and turned around. Those red eyes were bright with mischief and they raked over Widow's body rougishly in a way Lena's well mannered nature would never allow.

One side of Slipstream's mouth curled in a macabre half smirk, her voice a rough purr. "Cheers Luv. What've I missed?"

Chapter Text

"So, I will take up a position on the roof. And you will... Slipstream. Slipstream! Are you even paying attention?!" Widow snapped; jerking up out of her seat she whirled around and faced Slipstream.

Smirking the Brit held up her hands innocently, "Yeah yeah, I'll play the hound and you'll be the hawk. I'm supposed to flush the quarry from their lil wabbit hole an the big bad Spider will take the shot. Did I miss anything?"

"It's more than that! No one can know we were involved. This is a stealth mission. You need to pay attention to the file. I don't need another incident like last time." Widow glared, but it just melted off the aloof brunette.

"Pish posh Luv, there was nothing wrong with last time." Slipstream grinned broadly.

"You set off three silent alarms and the whole building knew something was up before Sombra could get her hands on the database. They wiped it clean."

"Pssh, and Sombra had it up and running again good as new in five minutes."

"That is not the point."

"Suuure it's not." Slipstream sauntered around the couch, one brow crooked. "Why should I look at some boring ol file when I have something much more entertaining to keep me occupied?"

Widow's eyes narrowed at the approach, "Oxton. Focus."

"Why should I? We can get to that briefing later, it's not for another day or whatever. I'm just proposing a quick break... or rather an hour or so if I can get my way." That self confident smirk played across Slipstream's lips.

Huffing Widow glared down at the girl in front of her. "Is that so."

"Aye. What do you say Luv?"

"I say," Widow took the final few steps until the two of them were toe to toe. "You are entirely too confident for your own good."

Giving no time for a rebuke she brought a hand up and tangled it in those chestnut spikes. Tugging she twisted, muscling the smaller woman down onto the couch, and straddling her waist. Despite losing the upper hand Slipstream smirked up at Widow letting her hands come up and cup the Frenchwoman's behind.

"And yet, here we are. Overconfidence, more like clairvoyance." Slipstream snickered, her eyes roaming over Widow.

"Stop talking."

Widow followed the words with her lips, catching Slipstream in a chaste kiss quickly followed by another. Hands roamed, Slipstream tugging at sections of Widow's suit trying to get it off and Widow making it as difficult as possible. Continuously blocked from her goal Slipstream slumped back into the couch with a grumble of defeat. Widow awarded the submission with a lingering kiss, purring softly in the Brit's ear.

"With that clairvoyance of yours you should have known you wouldn't get your way so easily."

"Worth a shot in the dark anyways." Slipstream countered, rolling her hips impatiently up into Widow.

"Mmhmm." Widow allowed the gesture as she began to undo the buckles of Slipstream's uniform slowly.

Slipstream's eyes fluttered closed as she lay limp on the couch, back pressed against Widow. The Frenchwoman settled down an arm looped over Slipstream's bare waist. Face buried in brunette spikes, the familiar after sex scent permeating the sweat dampened hair, Widow could almost imagine none of the recent events had happened. She had simply fallen asleep after slipping into Lena's flat, that's it. Slipstream stirred in her lust drunk repose, moving Widow from her position, and causing the light to glint off the metal protrusion on her neck. Mood soured Widow glared callously at the device.

"Oh come on, what's so bad about it?" Widowmaker snarled inside. "We don't have that annoying gnat buzzing around the field and! We get to take her whenever we want. How is this a bad thing?"

"It's not right! This is not Lena! Lena would never...!" Amélie protested.

"What? Do you think she's never killed anyone before? As if. She's just finally on the right side."

"That's not how she'd see it..." Amélie murmured.

"Bah! Who cares how she'd see it? She only sees what we want her to now. And what's better, the little snip doesn't know the difference."

"Do you want to see her end up like us?" Amélie countered softly.

Widow shook her head and emptied her thoughts. She didn't want to think about this. It was not her place to question this. Growling Widow shoved the woman, sending Slipstream tumbling to the floor. Erupting with a string of curses Slipstream glowered up at Widow only to have her clothes tossed over her head. Ripping them off her head she opened her mouth to tear into Widow but was quickly cut off.

"Get dressed and read the file. I am going to make sure everything is in order." Widow barked, a surly bite to her tone letting Slipstream know she meant it.

"Whatever your Majesty." Slipstream called sarcastically at Widow's back.

Chapter Text

"Slipstream. Are you in position yet?" Widow barked over their com unit; for someone who can bend time to their will she could drag her feet equal to the laziest slouch.

"Yeah yeah, don't go sprouting grey hairs there beautiful, I'm at the drop point." Slipstream chirped back, that rough edge of defiance slipping through.

"Hold your position or I swear..." Widow didn't get a chance to finish as she spotted a red blur of light sparking from around a corner towards the target.

"Or what you'll punish me?" Barking out a laugh Slipstream cooed, "Bring it Dearest, we both know how enjoyable it is. And besides, he's going to get away."

Gritting her teeth Widow lined up her scope, she would deal with her brattiness later, first the mission needed to be completed. Following along with her rifle, she traced Slipstream's red blur as she harried the armored car driving it where she wanted it. Blue pistol blasts sparked against the black paint leaving dents and scratches along its sleek surface. Dogging them relentlessly, Slipstream changed their course as they attempted to flee and once they reached the street below Widow she backed off reluctantly; making sure to blow out a tire as she darted inside the closest building.

The black SUV spun to a stop against the side of the road. Sagging down in the back from the destroyed tire everything was still for a minute before men in suits burst from the car, surrounded a reedy looking buisness man, and began hustling him to the nearest building. It was all too perfect. Widow could almost feel her heart beating faster as she lined up her shot. Taking a shallow breath, Widow held the rifle steady as a small gap appeared in the guard, breathing out slowly she pulled back on the trigger. The kickback of Widow's Kiss reverberated down her shoulder into her arm, nearly silent as always, gentle smoke trickling into the cool air.

"Une balle, un mort." She purred softly, retracting the sniper rifle from its position and stroking it's still warm surface with cool fingers. "Magnifique, as always."

"You talking to that hunk of metal huh? No congrats for me? I did all the hard work! Where's my praise hmm?" Slipstream leaned against the pillar a few feet away, twirling one of her pistols in one hand, the other sweeping through her unruly mop of hair.

Standing in one swift motion Widow slung Widow's Kiss over her shoulder and strode from her position by the air vents, pausing to look back over her shoulder at the brunette. "Just earlier you were asking for punishment. Is moi petite chien afraid I'll take her up on that? No matter, come along pup. The police will no doubt begin searching the area soon."

Scowling Slipstream jammed her pistol back in its holster muttering obscenities under her breath as she walked after Widow.

Reaching the rooftop Widow glanced at the scowling girl trailing behind and smirked. "Such a sulky dog. But credit where credit is due I suppose. You did very well today."

Eyes alight Slipstream perked up, blinking rapidly until she was even with Widow. "Race yah!"

Taking a running leap she blinked st the last second racing along the rooftops towards the pickup location. Letting out an amused huff Widow readied her grappling hook, taking off as well to the awaiting dropship.

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"What did I tell you? She's an asset, she will have a much better future with Talon. Without that pesky moral backbone of hers she is capable of so much more." Widowmaker gloated, still giddy over the thrill of the recent kill.

"She doesn't know what she's doing. This isn't her choice. Lena would never..." Amélie protested before getting cut off.

"Lena is gone! We have Slipstream now. So sit down and shut up!" Widowmaker snapped, drowning out her weaker half.

Eerie calm rolled through Widow as she took on the mantle of Widowmaker once more, those intrusive thoughts gone she had found peace for now.

Chapter Text

It was a strange concept, having Lena around all the time. More often than not Widow found herself nearly jumping out of her skin as that familiar chipper woman bounded around corners on Talon's base. The one place she never expected Lena to be so familiar with.

And yet here she was, blinking around the serpent's nest, engaging in felonious activities, and much to her surprising chagrin, the girl seemed to be genuinely enjoying it. Every mission Widow took the girl on, Slipstream fell deeper and deeper into the villainous roll.

Talon was intent on keeping Slipstream's existence a secret for now. Never sending her out where she may come into contact with old colleagues, Moira wanted to perfect her little drone before that happened. What's the use of transforming her if they snatched her right back? Widowmaker had looked into it though.

There were dozens of messages left in that little King's Row apartment. That meddlesome doctor and her [bodyguard] keeping an eye on the place. Coded calls to whatever friends in the organization Lena had, desperate for one small bit of contact with her. Even the ape was doing what he could, trying to ping a signal off the chronal accelerator to no avail. Sombra made sure it gave false positives all over making the trail go cold.

That red headed snip had come by a few times as well. Those sightings stayed with Widow, haunting her. Eyes puffy and red the first visit, she had been crying. The next several Emily had walked through in quiet reverence, hands lightly trailing over surfaces or simply sitting on the couch for hours staring into space.
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The sound of her door sliding open awakened Widow. Giving no outward sign that she had stirred she tightly gripped the knife underneath the pillow. Counting down the footsteps that led to the bed, she waited until she felt the intruders weight on the bedspread before springing into action.

Whipping around she grabbed ahold of the arm next her her and dragged them onto the bed as she continued rolling. Twisting the arm in her grip around behind their back, she ended up on top jabbing her knee into the base of their spine, and pressed the knife to the base of the skull in one fluid movement perfected with her ballet experience.

"Oi ow, ow! Leave off woman, it's just me! For fucks sake git off me!" Slipstream snarled, wriggling under Widow's weight.

Widow pressed the knife further, close to breaking skin before the voice got through to her and she withdrew the blade but twisted harder on the girl's arm.

"Fuck!" Slipstream spat out.

Tucking the knife away Widow brought her free hand up and grabbed a fistful of brunette hair and wretched it back hissing. "Do you have a death wish?"

"It was more of a, I want to fuck, but now I just want you to let bloody go!"

A soft smirk slid into place and Widow gave Slipstream a peck on the cheek. "Petit imbécile." Rolling off she released her and stretched out on her side watching, "For shame, you used to enjoy such manhandling. Don't tell me you've lost such refined tastes?"

Tutting she smirked as Slipstream sat up rubbing and nursing her shoulder, the girl glared back at Widow's teasing tone. Eyes narrowed she tested the range of motion in her arm again before leaning back against her good arm.

"So you always try and break a girl's arm trying to share your bed or am I just special?"

An unsettling serene smile graces Widow's lips, "Oh no my petite chein. The last one to share my bed on a regular basis ended up in a body bag."

"Crikey, Widowmaker indeed." Slipstream muttered.

"Well, now that your motive is out there, are you planning on moving forward with it?"

"I got the feeling you weren't quite in the mood."

"Smart girl."

"So I guess I'll just go..." Slipstream stood, shoving hands in her pockets.

"No. Stay." Widow murmured softly but she knew the other had heard when they stopped in their tracks.

"Well, it is a long trek back and you did just try and break my arm. So the least you could do is lend me a bed for the night."

Widowmaker rolled her eyes and threw a pillow at her. "Keep that up and you sleep on the floor."

"Yeah yeah, I got it."

Widow replaced the knife under her pillow and lay on her side facing the wall. The bed shifted as Slipstream added her weight once again and the covers lifted as she scrambled underneath. Tucking herself in, Slipstream slowly wormed her way over and pressed herself up against Widow's back. Legs slotted together, fitting like two puzzle pieces the brunette yawned and nuzzled lightly into the small of Widow's back throwing an arm over her waist before drifting off to sleep.

Widow lay there silently, this was more like the old Lena, always trying to cuddle close even if she was getting a cold shoulder. She felt a soft pang of melancholy at the thought before quashing it and forcing herself to close her eyes and fall asleep.

Chapter Text

"Check it Luv! I got you this time!" Lena shouted.

"Oh, but do you Chérie? You should look before you the leap." Widowmaker purred.

"What does that meeaAAAANNN?!?!?" Lena's voice pitched into a yelp as her feet were wrenched out from under her.

The cord tightened around Tracer's ankles pulling her down and then up in the air leaving her dangling from a pipe.

"Exactly what I said. Adieu Chérie. Best of luck next time." Blowing a mocking kiss Widowmaker departed, leaving Tracer spinning and dangling.

"Wha, Ame! Are you just going to leave me here?! Oi, get back here!" Lena shouted.

"Get back here!" Slipstream cried out flailing she fell out the bed and onto the floor with a thump.

Struggling in the blanket tangled around her Slipstream continued to wrestle about trapped in her dream. Widow sat up leveling an icy glare at the girl thrashing on the floor. Finally making her way out of the blanket Slipstream sat there shaking head in her hands. Sliding out bed and kneeling next to her Widow placed a hand on Slipstream's shoulder.

"Are you alright?" Widow asked, further questioning cut off as Slipstream jerked away from her touch.

Fists up Slipstream looked about wildly, fear and confusion plastered over her face before snarling at Widow. "What's your problem?!"

"You were yelling. And fell out of bed waking me. What's your problem?" Widow's concern souring.

Slipstream bared her teeth and put her hands to Widow's shoulders shoving. "You left me on the roof!"

"I what?" Widow's brow furrowed in confusion.

"I was after you, and you put yer cord around my ankles, and hung me from the rooftop and just bloody left! And you had me in some godforsaken footwear? What gives?"

"Wait... what did you say you were wearing?"

"Some sort of orange spandex and some ruddy looking shoes... oh forget it, it's fading. Just a dream anyhow." Shaking her head Slipstream dropped it softly onto her knees with a sigh.

Dumbfounded Widow watched realizing the Lena had broken through, if only in an old memory. The very same had happened to her as well, as much as she tried to repress it.

"I should talk to Moira, this keeps happening. It's giving me a headache." Slipstream muttered rubbing her temples.

"No!" Widow accidentally shouted, quickly pulling back into herself. "No... you don't need Moira. Come, sit with me."

Slipstream's eyes narrowed suspiciously but she unfurled sitting cross legged across from Widowmaker. Widow did the same placing the backs of her hands on her knees palms upwards. Reluctantly copying Slipstream straightened up.

"Just breathe, relax and clear your mind."

They sat quietly, breathing in and out for what felt like an eternity before Slipstream scowled and flopped onto her back muttering, "This is bullshit."

Widowmaker's brow twitched as she fought a growl of frustration. "It would help if you let it. You just need to focus."

"Yeah yeah. I'll get right to working on that."

"If you're not willing to try then be quiet so I can sleep."

"Whatever you say Luv."

Taking a deep breath to keep herself from snapping at the sarcasm Widow threw a pillow on the floor, "Since you plan on acting like a child you can sleep on the floor petite chein. And, if you don't like it you know where the door is."

Not waiting for a response Widow lay back down facing the wall. The room was blanketed in icey silence before there was a shuffle of fabric as Slipstream staggered to her feet. Dropping the blanket and pillow back onto the bed she made her way out and disappeared down the hall. Widow waited until the door slid shut again before opening her eyes and shifting to lay on her back to stare at the bland ceiling.

"Oh Lena... what am I going to do with you?"

Internally Widow grappled with this new development; for once her two sides left her blessedly alone with her own thoughts.

Chapter Text

The near silent grating of the doors closure sounded like raucous thunder in Slipstream's ears; making her way a few yards down she closed her eyes and leaned back against the chilled metal wall.

"What was that about?" She wondered aloud.

The only answer to her question was a shard of pain driving into her temple. Growling she scrubbed the side of her head as if to soothe the internal ache before shoving off the wall and blinking back towards her own quarters. Slipping inside she let out a breath of relief at the familiar surroundings. She hadn't had the room long but already whatever meager possessions she had were strewn across the room in jumbled piles, cans half crushed and tossed aside, papers she's sure were important at one point littering every vaguely flat surface.

Glancing at the most recent addition to her growing piles of paper she thumbed through the boring brief before the jabs of pain made her too aggravated to focus. Shoving them away she turned and dropped onto the bed lazily kicking off her shoes pulling the pillow over her head as she did. Breathing slowly Slipstream tried to focus but ultimately ended up falling asleep.
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Hazy.

That's the best Lena could describe it. She felt like she was trying to watch something but everything was submerged in mud.

There was something else there with her. Two somethings. She wasn't sure what to make of it; these presences inside whatever this inky blackness was. One was soft and warm lending an almost comforting feeling as she floated in this endless abyss.

The other one. Oh boy. Hard and jagged. Burning cold to the touch. Not that she ever really got the chance to. It always seems out of reach, pulling strings, leaving her suspended in eternal night.

How long has it been? Hours? Days? Weeks? Or God forbid, years?

Time meant nothing here. That's when it came to her; it was a sort of limbo. Much like what happened in her accident aboard the Slipstream. Except, this time there was no fading in and out. She was here, in the physical world. Or, at least her body was. There were breif moments of lucidity, she would reach out to take control and something would snatch it back. Something cold.

She kept trying. There was never any give she could find. Whatever that cold was, it was in control for now. Vaguely time passed, colors began to take shape. The warmth was blue and strangely enough the icey cold took on a reddish hue. They floated at the edge of her consciousness, each time blue got too close the red snatched it back and Lena went under again.

Hot. She felt hot.

Eyes shooting open Lena jerked awake staring out into the darkness. Glancing down she noticed the blue had broken free and illuminated her chest, sitting snuggly between her breasts glowing brightly. Things came flooding back; memories, thoughts... control.

Acting quickly, Lena cupped her hands over the light holding onto and guarding it. Jerking her head left and right she saw no sign of the other one.

"Hey there buddy... I missed you." She cooed softly, the blue light pulsing softly between her fingers.

She swears she heard a soft complacent chirping coming from the light. Lena could never tell Winston or anyone really for that matter, but whenever she slipped out of time she found for the briefest of moments that limbo again. The only difference between then and now was her anchor. It was part of her, the accelerator had taken on a sort of sentience in that little gap between timelines; a major source of comfort letting her know she wasn't doing this alone.

"Okay buddy, I've got yah. Don't worry, I'll get us out of this mess."

"Oh really? I don't think so. It's mine and so are you. Now be a good girl and hand it over."

Lena's head jerked up and she found herself face to face with that red light, but now it had taken on a form of it's own. Sneering back at her, was a mirror image of herself every inch glowing bright red.

"The name's Slipstream, best not forget cause that's who we are now. And this," the glowing imposter reached forward and snatched the accelerator's blue light in a crushing grip, "belongs to me now."

Lena howled curling in on herself as searing pain lanced through her when the accelerator's light was pulled from her and she fell back into that numbing darkness again. Slipstream's demonic grin the last thing she saw, the blue light flickering feebly in her clenched fist.
_________________________

Jerking up in a cold sweat Slipstream patted along her body ensuring she was still there. Glancing down, the metal strapped to her chest pulsed sluggishly from blue to a hot red light. Running fingers through her spikes she shuffled into the attatched bathroom and threw cold water on face. Bringing her gaze up brown eyes slowly melted and shifted, replaced with molten red once more as rivulets of water ran down her skin.

Smirking Slipstream leveled her reflection with a glare, "There, as it should be. Now, I don't know who you are, but you're not coming back. I just got this body, and I'm not going to give it up so easily."

She swears the reflection gives an anguished cry but she's already pushed away laughing to herself.

Chapter Text

Slipstream hummed a jaunty dark tune to herself as she strutted around the underground hanger. Being surrounded by aircraft ranging from stealth jets to nondescript helicopters brought about a sense of calm. She knew it was part of her weak former self, but she had to admit they had good taste. She came to a halt in front of a gorgeous fighter jet enrobed in slick black paint; eyes travelled longingly over the sleek curves and tinted reinforced glass. A shiver ran down her spine as she flattened her bare palm against the glossy surface. Lost in the moment she didn't notice the approach of someone in the shadows.

"Lost souls tend to seek comfort in familiarity." A hoarse voice whispered from the shadows.

"Oi, who's there?!" Slipstream nearly jumped out of her skin, whipping around and glaring into the darkness.

Shadows took shape and a tall figure clad in black stepped just far enough into the overhead light for it to gleam off the white mask affixed to his head. "No one of consequence. You know you're not supposed to be up here. How did you get in here anyway?"

Slipstream relaxed fractionally, watching Reaper suspiciously she shrugged trying to fake nonchalance. "Shook down one of the techs for his keycard and made sure he wouldn't go squealing on me. You?"

Instead of answering Reaper simply pointed upwards. Following the gesture Slipstream's jaw dropped in disbelief staring up at the vent.

"No way. You came in through the vent?!" Cracking up Slipstream guwaffed leaning back against the aircraft looking up at the dark spectre.

"Of course. Much easier to navigate than just giving it a random go." Reaper scoffed.

"Wait, why tell me the truth if that's what it is?"

With him leaning over her, she swears she can feel the man's smugness as he answered, "Cause no one will believe you."

"You're horrible!" Slipstream scowled crossing her arms.

"At times. I suggest you head out now. You don't want to be caught in here."

"Yeah yeah. I was just heading out."

"Oh, so that wouldn't be the keys in your pocket?"

Opening her mouth she froze. Grumbling she jammed a hand in her jacket pocket and slapped the key card into Reaper's upturned palm. "It was gonna be a quick one. I wasn't gonna do anything bad."

A gravelly laugh echoed down the empty hanger as his hand closed around the keycard. "Always so full of spunk Oxton. Watch yourself kid. You'll fall wrong one of these days."

Puffing up Slipstream smirked tapping her metal contraption. "Good thing time is on my side huh?"

Reaper shook his head with a sigh, "Not this time kid. Now get going. I believe you're late for your check in with Moira before the mission."

A choking sound left Slipstream the realization of that misstep dawning on her. She scrambled across the floor, a shouted farewell echoing loudly as she zipped along hoping there wouldn't be too many questions.

Turning the keycard set over on his hand Reaper stared wistfully after the retreating girl, remembering the time he had caught the very same cocky cadet sneaking into a similar hanger for a glimpse at the work in progress Slipstream jet. The overlapping image of the blue clad cadet blurred out on the retreating back of Slipstream's black and red uniform, melancholy welling up as the very same words echoed in his mind.

"Careful kid, You'll fall wrong one of these days sneaking around like that."

"Sir no sir! Time is on my side. You'll see!

Shaking his head Reaper faded back into the shadows, "Seems you've fallen wrong this time Oxton. Very wrong."

Chapter Text

Widow glanced sideways at the giddy Brit; bouncing on her heels, cracking her knuckles, a jolt running down her spine every once and a while. It reminded Widow of a dog rabid on the scent of its prey, one that was intent of snatching it up by throat and holding on as it struggled and bled out.

They had been assigned a reconnaissance mission for a set of files, and any information the creator may wish to offer. Widow could not see why they would assign a sniper to this sort of mission, this was more Sombra's area of expertise. She was not to questions orders, just follow them out; and test their new attack dog in another field study for Moira.

The plane touched down on a rooftop not far from their objective, Slipstream chomping at the bit as Widow took her sweet time gathering her things. As soon as the hatch opened, a blur of red light burst out onto the roof.

"Roight, let's get going. This will be easy, and if everything goes right we can have a bit of fun while we're at it." Slipstream's sneer made Widow's blood boil.

Steeling herself Widow shook her head. "Non. First is a stakeout. I will not have this mission turn into a failure because you want to jump right in."

"But,"

"Enough!" Widow snapped, "If you don't like it, I'll send you back with the ship."

Slipstream huffed shoving her hands in her pockets, sarcasm dripping off her words. "Whatever you say maaaa'am."

Leveling the twisted Brit with a glare did little to cow her, only receiving a set of highflying birds in return as the other stalked off. A pity. A well placed glare had led to much better things when Lena was herself.

______________________________

Slipstream grabbed the man's arm and roughly threw him over her shoulder slamming him into the ground. He gave a feeble cry rising in pitch as she drove the heel of her boot into the small of his back. Leaning down she grabbed his hair and wrenched it back so he could stare in horror into her cold red eyes.

Sneering she brought her pistol up and pushed it hard between his eyes, "Feel like talking now bub?"

Shaking the man stared cross eyed at the pistol letting out nothing but pleas of ignorance.

"Shame." She turned her head and noticed a picture hanging on the wall and a smirk grew, "Well then, guess you're of no use maybe I'll have to give your pretty little girl a visit. She might know what I want."

Inside Widow Amelie flinched at the soul wrenching howl that left the mans mouth before Slipstream dropped his head and pulled the trigger spattering herself in blood. Pushing off his corpse Slipstream tossed a grin over her shoulder and ran her fingers through her hair smearing the blood there.

"Well, looks like its interrogation time Luv. Whatcha say? I'll take the pretty little blonde."

"No." Her voice was level and cold.

Slipstream bristled and drew up to her full height chest puffed out. "Wha?! Why not! We came for info didn't we? He was a dead end."

"You are going to wait back at the checkpoint. I will carry on from here."

"You can't be serious? Piss off I'm not letting you have all the fun."

Slipstream made to push past Widowmaker and was grabbed by her accelerator straps. "That was not a request."

Widow's cold side glare stopped Slipstream's movement but not her mouth which was going on a swear laden rant before turning into a defiant snarl.

"Fine! Have it your way. Don't blame me if you can't get what we need."

Widow let go and Slipstream took her sweet time readjusting her jacket and accelerator. With those golden eyes still staring her down Slipstream sulked shoving a hand in her pocket and giving the lifeless body a rough kick sending it rolling to the side. As she passed by walls of the hallway she brought a hand up knocking all the picture frames and mirrors off their hangers sending them to shatter on the floor. Once out the door she took off in a sprint only then did Widow let herself relax.

Her gaze slid over the ruined room, Slipstream had begun enjoying torturing her prey and had led the man on a chase destroying the room. Looking over the body she felt a strange twinge of guilt. Brow furrowed she tried to process this new feeling.

"That is not Tracer." Amelie spoke quietly.

For once Widowmaker was silent in agreement, even she could tell this was going too far. This was not the same foolish girl that talked too much and got too close. This was the makings of a monster. A monster like her.

Moving mechanically Widow made her way through the rest of the house and located the man's office. Plugging in the device Sombra sent with her the bug hummed to life collecting everything it needed. Inside she was a ball of turmoil Amelie was weeping over that foolish girl and Widowmaker was trying to rationalize it. She ignored them both. The bug beeped signaling it was done and she swiped it before throwing the computer into the fire place and setting it alight. Shaking her head at the mess Widow left and rejoined Slipstream at the rendezvous point climbing aboard the helicarrier.

"You get that bug out yer arse?" Slipstream barked foul tempered.

Without answering Widow pressed her fingers to the mechanical attachment on Slipstream's neck, "Sleep."

Slipstream bristled before her body slumped eyes closing. Widowmaker caught her and strapped the limp body into the seat beside her as she began to think of a plan.

Chapter Text

"I know what you're thinking and I admit, it's crossed my mind as well, but we have to stay positive. There wasn't any sign of a struggle and she's gone off radar before..." Angela stopped as the voice cut her off with a terse reply.

"Yes, I understand. They are getting bolder, running ops closer and closer towards Overwatch's underground operations base. But sir, you need to understand we have to..."

"If you would just let me finish!" Angela's calm demeanor dropped, anger lashing through her tight speech putting Fareeha on alert. "I cannot leave her out there Jack. Not after what happened with..."

The next words came out loud enough to be heard even without speakerphone, "I waNT YOU BACK TO BASE ASAP! THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR A FOOL HEARTED MISSION."

Holding the phone away from her ear she barely managed to catch the departing words. "That's just it we don't know and at the moment we don't have the time or resources to continue the search. Please return so we can prepare for any upcoming attacks. Morrison, out."

Letting out a frustrated breath Angela dropped the phone onto the counter and put her face in her hands. Rubbing her temples a moment before she threw her hands in the air, "Who does he think he is!?!"

Ranting aloud to no one in particular Angela strode out from the kitchen and towards the living room pacing back and forth. Fareeha's eyes tracked the Swiss doctor carefully, weighing whether or not to interject just yet. It had been several months since anyone had seen or heard from Lena Oxton; not even Emily, and that was saying something. It was very uncharacteristic of Lena to drop off the grid without explicit reasons. And even then someone in their group would always have a hint at where she would be incase things went south. But not this time. It was if she had vanished off the face of the earth.

"And I mean honestly! Overwatch is still not legally viable and Jack just pops out his grave and starts giving orders again! You'd think he'd understand that you can't just pick up where you left off after everything gets shut down!" Arms gesturing wildly she turned to Fareeha for any signs of agreement.

Standing Fareeha guided the still muttering doctor down on the couch. "Hun, take a moment and cool off. Use that big brain of yours and try to see things from the commander's perspective."

Angela narrowed her eyes at the use of that title but given Fareeha's background she couldn't blame the woman for defaulting back to ranks when she didn't want to say his name. "And just why should I?"

"I'm not saying that it's what happened, but there could be a hundred scenarios surrounding Lena. Overwatch isn't viable in the eyes of the law, you said so yourself, so what little funds we've managed to secure have to be used carefully and most likely secretly. They can't sustain a long term search."

"But Lena could..." Angela started but trailed off.

"Could very well have finally gotten tired of all the shit we've been dealt for having been a part of Overwatch and is lying low somewhere. Without anything to go on, other than an empty apartment, we have to look at the bigger picture. Talon has been more active of late, we need to find out why."

Closing her eyes Angela slumped back against the couch in defeat.

"I know it's hard after everything you've gone through," Fareeha sat down beside Angela, placing a hand on the other's thigh. "I'm worried for her too and want to know what happened, but we also have a responsibility to everyone else as well."

Leaning forward she gave the doctor a soft kiss to the temple before resting her forehead on her head. She felt Angela shift, turning her own body more towards Fareeha's.

A sad half-smile graced Angela's lips, "Since when did you become the voice of reason hmm?"

Laughing Fareeha moved her hand up and gave Angela's a light squeeze. "The same time you became the hotheaded one butting heads with Jack."

"While I don't trust what's happened, I know we can't stay much longer. We'll make our way back to base tomorrow. Let's try and end things on a more positive note and go say goodbye to that little bistro on the corner."

They had become rather fond of the waitstaff and food at the little corner market bistro, having frequented it regularly these past couple weeks they had been here poking around. Grabbing their jackets Fareeha hooked an arm through Angela's and they made their way down the streets making light conversation; neither one broaching the earlier subjects to keep the mood bright.

Rounding the last corner they started making their way towards the bustling market when a flash of light caught the corner of Angela's eye. Turning her head she caught the sight of of a familiar metal chassis and mess of spiked brown hair. Eyes wide she let out a startled breath stopping dead in her tracks.

"Lena..."

Chapter Text

"Gah, Angie, slow down."

"Hurry up Fareeha, I don't want to lose her in the crowd!" Angela forged ahead, dragging the other woman behind her.

Dodging and weaving came easy to her with years of practice moving about in overcrowded hospitals or raging battlefields, allowing Angela to gain ground and keep an eye on the brunette spikes bopping along down the street. Cursing as she scrambled around the corner, her eyes darting over the crowd in time to catch sight of Lena duck into a side alley. Surging forward she dragged Fareeha round the corner stopping dead in her tracks. The alley was empty, not a soul in sight other than a mangy cat picking through the sorry remains of a knocked over trash bin.

"Angie, what was that about? Why are we here?" Fareeha frowned, carefully casing the dark dingy walls.

"I... I could've sworn. Lena..." Angela's voice small and broken, she drew her arms up and crossed them over her stomach staring down the empty passage.

"Babe..." Fareeha lifted a hand hesitating at how fragile she looked before setting it on Angela's shoulder. "Ang, it's getting late we should get moving. I know you think you saw her but..."

"No! I know I did, she was just here! I saw her."

"Okay okay. Even if you did she's obviously gone by now. And we should do the same."

Taking her jacket off Fareeha draped it over Angela's shoulders and began walking back the way they came. A loud rattle sounded back in the alley drawing their attention as a trash can lid rolled and hit the wall with a eerie crash. Quick as a flash Fareeha's hand darted under her outer shirt and settled cautiously on the firearm tucked snuggly against her side popping the strap keeping it in place.

"Who's there?" Fareeha spoke firmly, starting to pull the pistol from it's holster just in case.

A coarse laugh echoed against the walls followed by feather light footsteps. "Typical Overwatch mice. You start to poke your noses towards the cheese but scamper off before any real work is required of you."

Leisurely strolling from a hidden bend of the alley Slipstream sidled into view. Angela drew in a sharp, startled breath staring at the leather clad woman in front of them.

"Lena..." Angela whispered in shock; she started to move forward before getting cut off.

"That's not my name!" Slipstream roared, eyes gleaming a sickly red. "The name's Slipstream!"

Charging forward Slipstream launched herself into the two agents, ramming her shoulder into the larger of the two and elbowing the blonde sending them both staggering back.

"And don't you forget it!" She barked with a sneer over her shoulder before blinking forward and disappearing in a flash of crimson light.

Chapter Text

"Where have you been?" An icy voice dripping with malice inquired.

Freezing Slipstream ran through a dozen responses before snarking back, "Out. What's it to you?"

"Oh really?" Widow stalked forward golden eyes glinting under the florescent lights.

Reaching forward she plucked a blonde hair off Slipstream's shoulder and held it up. "Just out?"

Slipstream bristled, jamming her hands into her jacket pockets, and glaring as she brushed past the other woman. "I don't have to explain myself to you."

"Perhaps not. But, I'm sure Moira would be very interested in your little unescorted excursion." Widow quipped lightly without a care in the world as she sat back in her chair, moving her eyes to rest on the sofa across from her.

Going stiff Slipstream stood still before turning on her heel and stalking over to the sofa where she sat with a huff. Arms crossed she muttered hotly under her breath. Casually twirling the contents of a half full wine glass, Widow sat patiently waiting for Slipstream to be quiet. Internally she grimaced at holding the threat of Moira over Slipstream but it was the one way she could get the stubborn, headstrong girl to listen without resorting too... more extreme measures.

Once Slipstream was sitting silent and proper with hands folded in her lap, perhaps bits of Lena were still buried in there, Widow cocked her brow. "Well?"

"Well what?!" Slipstream snapped before wincing at the hardened glare now boring into her and continuing more levelly. "I told you, I went out. Unlike you, I don't stick out like a sore thumb in public."

Ignoring the jab Widow pressed on in an almost bored tone as if asking what the weather was like today. "And where did you go while you were out?"

"I went on a walk. Just cause you want to stay cooped up in here doesn't mean I have to. I went down to the square and then..." Slipstream cut off with a sharp click of teeth as she puffed up with anger.

"And then what?" Curiosity peeked at what could have riled the Brit up so much.

"I saw a couple of those Overwatch rats that abandoned me and decided to teach them a lesson." Slipstream spat out fists clenched.

Alarm flashed across Widow's face as she leapt up and crossed over to Slipstream. Hand darting out she gripped her jaw and forced the girl to look up at her, nails digging in roughly.

"You what?! You were told to never be seen but especially by them. You are going to blow this whole mission!" Widow hissed, face a mask of fury.

Smacking away Widow's hand Slipstream jumped up as well, doing her best to get in Widow's face despite her short stature. "Bollocks to the mission! Those bastards left me to die in that damned aircraft! If I want to teach 'em a lesson I will."

"And yet here you are; running straight back to me with your tail between your legs after trying to teach a doctor a lesson? I've heard enough."

Slipstream opened her mouth to argue before going slack as Widow's hand gripped the back of her neck, the device there purring to life under her cold hand. "Go to bed and forget about what happened today."

Eyes vacant Slipstream stood there until Widow's hand pulled away and like a good puppet handled by a skilled marionette, marched into the adjoining room. Once she heard the door click shut Widow looked away from her hand in disgust settling on the spilled and shattered wine glass on the floor, a hundred thoughts flitting through her head trying to come to grips with what Slipstream may have set in motion.

Chapter Text

"This is stupid." Widowmaker grumbled but was quickly overridden by Amelie.

Widow rolled her eyes as she staked out the apartment. This girl didn't even lock the balcony door, she is almost as bad as Tracer. It was dark out as Widow finally left her rooftop and grappled down to the exposed balcony. Reeling in her cord she felt naked without Widow's Kiss but she figured that would make her less likely to listen, so small arms it was. Silently slipping inside she closed the door behind her and made her way deeper into the apartment.

Emily bustled around the kitchen humming softly to herself as she pulled the kettle from the stove and poured the boiling water into a mug. Satisfied she set it back and turned the heat to low. Wrapping both hands around the hot mug she inhaled the calming scent of her tea and made her way over to the living room. As she exited the walled portion she froze, she could feel something or someones eyes on her. She turned and glanced down the hallway towards her room where bright spots of red light greeted her. Her grip loosened and the mug she was holding fell to the carpet spilling its contents all over the floor.

"You." Emily hissed striding forward full of anger.

Widow allowed her to approach the red head's face twisted with fury. Once within distance Emily slapped purple woman across the face but the other stayed still almost as if it were a light breeze. She brought her hand up again but it was caught like a childs hand.

"Do not think I will not kill you where you stand. I came for a purpose but if you'd rather have a bullet in your skull I'll happily change plans." Widow was blunt, hardly feeling the sting in her cheek.

Amelie reeled while Widowmaker danced with glee begging to end this gnat.

"What do you want?" Emily spit out between clenched teeth, based on the strength of the other womans grip she knew it was pointless trying to yank her hand away.

Widow is silent long enough that Emily contemplates asking again but she finally answered. "Your help."

Emily's mouth fell open into a silent O of surprise before recovering. She shook herself and tugged her arm, Widow easily letting her have it and made no sudden movements.

"What do you need my help for? Don't you have what you wanted? Lena is a fucking Villain. I would think you'd be over the moon. Oh wait, you dont have feelings." Emily snapped harshly.

"This. This is not what I wanted."

"Oh really? Lena is all yours to do what you want. A fucking mind controlled little puppet to dance to your whim! I should fucking call Angela, shove you in the bedroom see how well you do when Overwatch gets here!"

"Do you really think you could stop me little girl? Is your hatred for me really more important than Tra... Lena's life? Perhaps you never did love her."

That earned Widow another slap but she didn't care.

"How. Dare. You! You break into my home, say you want my help, only to insult me! I'm not the heartless monster that got Lena dragged into this mess! If you hadn't come around perhaps I could have kept her out of trouble! You're the reason she went out there again and again. The reason she shows up on my doorstep covered in blood and bruises! You're the reason she's a murderer!"

"If you didn't have such a fascination with her Lena wouldn't have been a target! You know they only did this because of you! Everything is your fault! All the way back to that first kill of yours Lena told me all about! None of this would have happened if you had just stayed away!"

Emily jabbed a finger into Widow's chest for emphasis, she didn't care if the other could easily snap her like a twig if she wanted to. Much to her surprise the assassin simply looked away.

"You're right."

"E-excuse me?!?"

"I said you are right. This only happened because of me. I would like help to correct it."

Still shaking with rage Emily turned and stalked deeper onto the apartment vaguely muttering for Widow to follow. Inside Widowmaker railed against the decision calling it a trap but Widow went anyway, closing the door behind them as she began to explain.

Chapter Text

"Roight, what do you mean secret mission? Moira didn't mention anything? And I didn't get a debriefing either. I mean, it's not like I read em more like turn em into oregano or whatever that paper folding bull is but you said..." Slipstream was cut off as Widowmaker rounded on her with a growl.

"Just shut up! Grab your things and meet me outside. I will explain on the way." Widow snarled, before stalking out of the hanger and out the secret door she had shown that unruly girl.

She had been on edge these past few weeks, and everything had fallen into place or at least, she hoped they had. Tossing her gear into the car trunk she made her way towards the driver's side to instruct the Omnic when the side door announced Slipstream's arrival. Widow opened her mouth to speak but was beat to it by a light Irish Brogue drawling through the air behind her.

"Amélie, daaarling I wish it didn't have to end like this, I really do."

Widow stiffened and tried to turn before she found herself slammed into the side of the car, she felt too prongs pressing against her ribs through her suit, a sharp sting of electric ran through her, and everything went dark.

Chapter Text

A throbbing headache greeted Widow as she groggily came back to consciousness. What happened, where was she? Instinct kicked in as foggy thoughts of Moira and the car side assault drifted back to her and she staggered to her feet. Expecting to be strapped back on that steely lab table or cuffed in an office chair she stumbled in shock finding herself free of bindings and on a rooftop. A voice broke through her rapidly racing thoughts.

"Oh finally! You're awake, took you long enough. Just about died of boredom waiting on you yah know?" Slipstream gushed in her usual annoying fashion.

"What... where am I?" Widow's eyes narrowed. Something wasn't right.

"Uh, on a roof? You didn't exactly tell me where this super important mission was exactly so when you fell asleep I had to take a guess once we got dropped off." Slipstream scoffed, seemingly offended at Widow's lack of focus.

"A roof? Dropped off?" One hand groped her side where she could have sworn the shock had been delivered and the other rubbing her temple. Could that have been it, just a stress dream? "So Moira wasn't angry?"

Slipstream's eyes went dark, a wide smile splitting across her face as she stood and backed away several paces. "Why would she be mad silly? It's not like you were planning such treasonous things like taking away one of her greatest achievements ever? That would be ridiculous."

Each word that spilled from that maniacal grin became more and more monotonous and robotic as she slowed to a halt next to the rooftop's stairwell entrance. Out of the shadows a towering figure clad in a painfully white lab coat stepped forward. Moving behind Slipstream's stiff form Moira delicately placed her hands on the girl's shoulders and gave them a light squeeze.

"Oh yes Slipstream. That would be ridiculous, now wouldn't it?" Moira's eyes flashed cruelly as she easily gazed over Slipstream's head and brought them to rest on Widowmaker. "Mo rinceoir, we talked about this no? I will not have you meddling. If you were having such troublesome thoughts you could have come to me, I always make things better."

Widow leveled a glare at the obnoxious doctor that continued to drum her claw like nails rhythmically on Slipstream's shoulders. "I do not know what you mean Dr. O'Deorain."

Laughing Moira stroked the back of Slipstream's neck, hissing softly in her ear. "Subdue her for me."

Lurching forward with a feral growl Slipstream blinked several times until she was darting all around Widow; having returned to conciousness not too long ago after a rough encounter with electricity Widow struggled to block the shots until several well placed hits brought her down to one knee. A quick hand signal from Moira, no doubt electronically coming from her nail enhancements, and Slipstream backed off, standing to the side. Striding forward Moira leaned down and cupped Widow's jaw in her hand.

"Oh Widowmaker, you were the shining jewel in my crown. I was not trying to replace you mo rinceoir, far from it. After all, two jewels are better than one. But alas, it seems you have lost your glimmer." Moira's grip tightened, clawed hands threatening to break skin, "I will offer you this one chance. Be a good girl and surrender. You can be the world's greatest assassin again; some minor adjustments here and there and I will have you right as rain. And if not..."

Moira's voice trailed off with a dark chuckle, releasing her grip, and standing upright. "What will it be my child, my prized jewel, mo rinceoir álainn?"

Widow was pleasantly surprised at the lack of internal arguing, for once niether side said a word one way or another. This was the final crux, and neither side was deciding for her. She was on her own. Rebel and most likely wish she were dead later on? Or she could give in again like she's done countless times and not have to deal with any of this ever again.Some small part of her wished that that inner brainwashed voice would take over so she wouldn't have to make the choice herself; the cowards way out, but nothing stirred within her as she stared blankly up at Moira spitting out the one word she thought would be impossible for her to say.

"Never."

Chapter Text

Tutting softly to herself Moira shook her head, "Oh Amélie, I thought we were going to go so far together. Seems I miscalculated, something that won't happen again. Slipstream, come."

With a wave of her hand Slipstream trotted over and leaned her head into Moira's hand, nearly purring like a cat as her accelerator whirred louder in anticipation. "Only one of you will be returning. Slipstream knows where to report to. And should it be you Amélie, well, there's only so far you can run before Overwatch or myself snaps you back up. And for your sake, you better hope it's the latter. How else would they treat someone who not only murdered her own husband and so many others, but also their star poster girl? In any case, don't bother trying to reason with her, she will listen only to me. Farewell."

Moira turned on her heel and left through the stairwell, no doubt heading towards the street and her ride. Widowmaker stared blankly back at the woman until a swift movement from the corner of her eye brought her back to the situation at hand. Slipstream was practically vibrating with excitement as she stalked slowly towards her prey.

Stopping short when Widow refused to move she snarled, kicking Widows Kiss over to her. "Pick it up."

Eyes narrowing Widow turned her head to the side, "No. I will not fight you Lena."

"THAT IS NOT MY NAME!" Slipstream bellowed in unrestrained fury, lashing out her foot connecting with Widowmaker's side sending her rolling.

Thinking quickly Widow regained her footing just as Slipstream launched at her again. Grabbing ahold of that scrawny ankle and using the oncoming momentum she twisted around sending Slipstream to the other side of the roof. Diving forward she swept up Widows Kiss and set to aim.

Slipstream staggered back on her feet with a blink, Widow's finger hesitated on the trigger. Cursing to herself she grappled over to the next roof glancing around to get her bearings. It seems she was not too far off from where they were supposed to meet. She just had to get Slipstream to follow. And judging by the way she was recklessly throwing herself off the edge and blinking forward it should be an easy enough task, so long as Widow remained in the lead and kept the reckless girl from hurting herself. Or others.

She waited until the steps were close before setting out one of her venom mines and a spray of bullets to the one side to draw Slipstream in. Like a bull stung by a wasp she charged through the corridor setting off the mine and frantically blinking back to avoid inhaling too much. Grappling off Widow started a familiar game of cat and mouse. One she could not afford to lose.

Chapter Text

Doing her best to stick to a route without large numbers of civilians hanging around Widow continued to toy with Slipstream drawing her in close before darting ahead again. It's not that she 100% cared if civilians were caught in the cross fire, hell she had already heard sirens making their way towards the one rooftop they had exchanged bullets on, she simply did not want to be interrupted as she tried to make it to the check point.

Lena was beyond feral at the moment, and if Widow succeeded she did not want the girl to wake up and be haunted by the things she had done, if she remembered anything at all. At one point she was far enough ahead she tried to see if she still had the communicator and let them know about the change of plans but it looks like Moira had removed it from her. No matter, she would simply have to put her down before the others got there. Easier said than done without permanently injuring her. Glancing around Widow's eyes lit up as she noticed they had finally entered the mostly abandoned outskirts, now it was simply a matter of keeping her occupied until she spotted the signal.

"Gotcha Luv."

Widow leapt to the side just in time to avoid the hail of pistol blasts threatening to rip through her. Slipstream's wild cackling echoed around the rooftop as Widow slowly searched with her visor for the girl's heat signature. Between the blinks and the echos and Widow's reluctance to accidentally injure the Brit made it hard to focus and she barely ducked in time to avoid Slipstream to landing a punch square to her side.

"You've gotten slow Itsy Bitsy Spider." Slipstream barked, moving in again.

"Have I? Or are you just being overly cocky again?" Widow lunged forward into Slipstream and rammed the butt of her gun into that soft torso forcing the Brit to blink back or risk worse.

Running and leaping blindly Widow managed to grapple to the roof closest to her meeting point and set her sights back on Slipstream as the girl made her way over.

Thinking she finally cornered her prey Slipstream seemed to have learned enough caution the last couple scraps to come in slowly watching Widow's hand resting on the trigger. "You don't have the guts."

"Perhaps not, come closer and find out."

Rapidly jerking the gun up she looked through the scope and fired to the left, barely grazing Slipstream's arm while she dodged to the right. Dancing back and forth Slipstream narrowly dodged Widow's onslaught while pressing in further. She could use her pistols, but she wanted to savor the moment. She feigned to the right before quickly recalling and flanking to the left landing a punch square to Widow's side, bringing the assassin's next breath short and causing her rifle to drop slightly.

Sensing her opportunity she nimbly kicked Widows Kiss from her grip sending it tumbling over the rooftops edge and to the ground below. "Now that that's out of the way, I'm really going to enjoy this."

Blows landed on both sides, Slipstream sporting a split lip and in turn Widow received a bloodied nose. Niether one bothered to register where they had been injured as they each fought to get the up hand. Widow grabbed hold of Slipstream's wrist and quickly twisted it behind her back and pitching forward sending them both tumbling to the floor. Swearing Slipstream struggled feeling Widow's weight drop on top of her, the assassin no doubt thinking she was going to win. Nothing a little recall won't fix. Blinking back disorientated Widow enough that her grip loosened enough for Slipstream to turn around and tackle her full tilt linebacker style. They flew back but even as Widow started to find her feet, the backs of her knees hit the raised lip of the rooftop and they tumbled backwards into open air.

A shocking sense of déjà vu came over Widow, this was not the first time Lena had thrown them from the rooftop, but it would certainly be the last. Slipstream let go just in time for Widow's grappling hook to catch a fire escape on another building, blinking away for a safer landing. The grappling wire pulled taunt nearly yanking Widow's arm out of socket. She braced herself for a rougher landing, not having enough slack to get her feet from under her. Hitting the concrete knocked the wind straight from her and Widow gasped for breath nearly blacking out as multiple bruises and injuries tried to make their presence better known.

A slow clapping noise walked closer to her and Widow rolled onto her side sitting up on one arm as Slipstream came to a stop a few paces away. "Very good Luv, you've lasted longer than I thought. Guess the whole feelings thing has worn off. What's the matter? Don't care about abusing poor wittle Lena if she doesn't behave how you like?"

"I mean, look at me." Slipstream gestured to her bruised and bloodied form, her voice taking on a mock pitiful tone. "You'd really treat me like this Amélie? I just wanted us to be together."

Widow bristled and managed to wheeze out a reply while staggering to her feet. "You are... are not Lena. Y-you're a monster."

A demented smile stretched ear to ear across Slipstream's face, her arms open wide like the circus ringleader asking for applause. "Oh but of course my dear, I'm a Monster. Just. Like. You."

Spitting out those last few words Slipstream leaned in to take another swing when a strange voice called out across the way.

"Widowmaker! What's going on, I heard gunshots and..." the red headed woman's question trailed off taking in the sight of Widow and Slipstream standing bloodied in the street.

"Lena..." Emily breathed out in disbelief.

Chapter Text

Slipstream blinked staring perplexed just long enough for Widow to regain her feet and launch at Slipstream. Tumbling across the rough concrete Slipstream swore and tried to wrench free one of her pistols, Widow wasn't having any of that. Wrestling the gun from Slipstream's grasp Widow clicked the safety off and pressed it to her throat.

"Don't move Chérie. I don't want to hurt you." Widow growled deadly serious, keeping her finger just to the side of the trigger.

"Oh really now. We'll see about that." Slipstream smirked before letting out a strange warbling cry of pain. "Gah! Em! Help! She's gone bonkers Em! I tried to get away but she followed me and said I can never run from Talon!"

"What are you..." Widow hissed in surprised, movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention; Slipstream was up to something.

"Ah, fuck Emily. You were right! I shouldn't have trusted her, now look at me. I just want to get help!"

Emily couldn't see it, but Slipstream was hiding a sneer behind her false calls of pain. Her other arm ever so slowly stretching out and moments away from flicking free her other pistol.

"Widowmaker, let her go! You're obviously hurting her!" Emily yelped starting to make her way towards the two bloodstained women in the street.

"Time to choose Luv, better hope you make the right one." Slipstream murmured quietly fully unholstering her pistol and starting to line up the shot, directly between that meddlesome red-head's eyes.

The wasn't anything Widow could do, she could see the pistol coming up from the ground, not for her though. No, for that red headed snip that couldn't listen to the plan. She had the same lack of common sense Lena did. Could Lena live with herself if she came back from this? Could Widow let her do this?

Taking a deep breath Widow squeezed her eyes shut, "I'm sorry Chérie... forgive me."

Just as Slipstream's pistol nearly reached it's firing height, Widow shifted her grip and planted her stolen one against the glass of the accelerator and pulled the trigger. A loud pop and shattering glass went off sounding like an explosion. Slipstream's pistol went slack in her grip, falling to the side as her eyes went wide realizing what had happened. A coughing fit took her and blood leaked from the corner of her mouth. Widow stared down her face itself blank, but horror and pain dancing behind her eyes as she watched the chain reaction as the pistols pulse bullet crashed through the accelerator and into Lena's chest.

All at once the inconsequential sounds of their surroundings came back. One sound in particular cut through them all.

A truly heart wrenching scream pierced the air followed by a body wracking sob. "No!"

Chapter Text

"No no no, Lena gods no!" Emily continued to shout hysterically as she rushed towards them.

Widow sat there catatonic, staring down at Slipstream as those red eyes closed. The accelerator on her chest buzzed and whirred and screeched as it fought to stay running, the red light flickering dangerously close to fluttering out. She hadn't noticed the red headed snip had gotten so close until she felt hands shoving into her shoulder bringing her out of her reverie. Widow stepped aside awkwardly as Emily dropped to her knees still shouting obnoxious nonsense.

Emily ripped off her sweater and tried to staunch the blood flow were she could, the accelerator actually helping to compress the wound slightly given how it was strapped to her. Sobbing Emily nearly jumped out of her skin when her communicator crackled to life cutting in and out muffled by her pocket.

"Emil... Where are... the guns stopped... no sign..."

Frantic she almost tore the pocket of her jeans as she fought to pull the communicator free. "Ang, oh gods Ang help! She-she shot her! There's so much blood. Don't know what to do. Help!"

The reply was quick and despite the red-head raving like a lunatic Dr. Ziegler had switched to medical mode her voice calm but authoritative. "Shot where? Put pressure, tell me where you are Fareeha is on her way but I have to see Lena now."

Emily choked out their location, Slipstream's blood staining her hands redder than her hair as she brought one hand up to cradle Lena's face.

Widow's instincts were screaming at her to run; Overwatch, danger, capture! But she could not bring herself to take more than a couple flighty steps to the side. Loud footsteps had Widow snapping her head up looking for more threats when the blonde Doctor came running full tilt from a side street. Paying the assassin no mind Angela dropped to her knees and quickly started assessing the damage.

"The accelerator looks to have taken most of the damage, I'm afraid to move it incase the shrapnel has embedded into the wound. Emily, get me some gauze and my clotting powder, that anchor won't mean anything to her if she bleeds out." Angela looked calmed but her eyes showed a different story.

Emily managed to hand off what Ziegler had asked for but it was clear the girl was too worked up to be much more help than that, and Angela gently moved her aside working quickly while barking orders into her ear piece. Shaking Emily stared at the blood on her hands, slowly looking up at where Widow stood near the building her usual purple spandex splattered with grime and the deep crimson of blood. Lena's blood.

Fury welled up inside Emily and she staggered to her feet advancing upon the assassin. Hands balled into fists she started to shout at Widow as she moved closer. Angela managed a glance over her shoulder yelling at Emily to not be so reckless, unable to leave Lena's side she shouted rapidly to whoever was unfortunate enough to be on the other side of her ear piece to floor it.

Widow stood passively, her back against the cool brick as Emily grabbed a fistful of material on either side of the assassin's clothes yelling obscenities.

"This is your fault! How could you! You Bitch!"

"Dammit Emily get back here! She can easily kill you!" Angela snapped over her shoulder, her glare fixating on Widow before looking down the street at the sound of a rapidly approaching car engine snarling into her ear piece, "Yes the girl's gone daft! No I can't help! Not without letting Lena bleed out!"

Emily continued to shout and shake Widow by her shoulders tears streaking down her face. It took everything in Widow not to snap and do away with the girl and get away. Overwatch agents would be swarming over this area soon and if she didn't leave now she doubted she could escape. Right on cue a slick black car came to a screeching halt about a block away from where Lena lay. The door flew open and that tall Egyptian woman jumped out, weapon already unholstered.

A quick assessment of the scene sent Fareeha barreling over to where Emily had Widow pinned and she let her presence be known. "Emily! Step away! And you, don't you fucking move a muscle or I swear!"

Fareeha snarled and swore under her breath as the red head seemed not to hear her and she stepped forward pulling her off of Widow. The purple woman slowly brought her hands up showing she was unarmed as that pistol was aimed back at her. If her long dormant heart could beat it would have been pounding out of her chest. Widow glanced over the woman's shoulder to where Ziegler was still working on Lena's still body.

"Target is secure, awaiting armed escort and a Med Evac Asap! I want that carrier here yesterday!" Fareeha snapped into a seperate com channel, never taking her eyes off the Widowmaker herself.

Chapter Text

The transport was uneventful for Widowmaker, well from her side of things. Several agents were freaking out and always had their firearms trained on her. Mentally rolling her eyes, she closed them and leaned her head back against the headrest, for all intents and purposes she looked asleep. Or dead. No, she was straining to hear through the heavily armored wall between her and the front seats where the Amari girl sat, still on her com with Doctor Ziegler. Straining she struggled to catch any sort of information on Lena but if there was any news Fareeha wasn't sharing.

They carried on driving for an eternity leaving Widow alone with her thoughts. Internally Widowmaker was raging about being in custody and yet, she was easily overshadowed by Amélie's silent concern over what she had done to Lena.

Jolted to a sudden stop Widow opened her eyes as the transport back door opened. Cooly watching she simply stared as more agents flooded out the doors forming barriers from the transport to the door on either side.

"Ridiculous children," Widow thought, "They do realize that if I didn't want to be here I wouldn't and there's nothing they could do about it?"

Fareeha grabbed her by the upper arm and started to lead her outside to the compound. Surprised at the sudden touch Widow tensed sending a wave of paranoia through the guards. The Amari girl narrowed her eyes and lifted a brow like a woman scolding her child. Widow could not help but trace the similarities between her and Fareeha's mother. How many times had Widow, no- Amélie seen that same look on Ana's faces she dealt with the rambunctious child. Squashing the urge to laugh she simply shrugged and started moving, the children in armoured boots flinching back.

Fareeha's com crackled to life and Widow heard a faint voice, "Take to interrogation 6b."

Ah, straight to the point. Whoever they were was going to be sorely disappointed to find they wouldn't be getting any answers until Widow's were answered first. Content to bide her time, Widowmaker slipped back into the icy numbness of nothing.

Chapter Text

Widowmaker sat straightbacked in the metal chair, not feeling the cold of the metal trying to bite through her jumpsuit. She stared, seemingly bored, at the no doubt one-way window in front of her staffed by ridiculous children. A wicked glint entered her eye and she nonchalantly stretched, the chains keeping her attatched to the solid metal table rattling ominously and Widow relished in the almost palpable fear rolling out from behind the glass. Content with torturing them she kept her unwavering sights on them even as the door to the left opened and a disgruntled white haired man stalked in. Sidling in place he blocked Widow's view of the window forcing her to make eye contact with a very curious looking red visor. A quick overlap of an old memory surfacing before she could quash it reminded her of the Commander's better days. Shifting Widow made her face a blank mask once again she waited patiently for Jack to break the silence.

It didn't take long, he was never the most patient man in the world, before he growled out his hands splayed out on the table. "You're going to tell me everything you know and you're going to do it now."

Widow lifted a brow in disinterest, "Mmm, I don't think so Jack. What do you have to offer?" a wicked smile laid into place to antagonize him and it damn well worked.

His hands hit the table with a resounding clatter, Widow was sure some of the subordinates jumped in their tiny observation room as she sat there unimpressed. "I don't have to offer anything! In case you weren't aware, you are in my base now. You don't have any leverage here."

"Oh but I do. You just haven't realized it yet."

"And what is that supposed to mean!?"

"Judging by the lack of alarms and sounds of dying men I assume she hasn't woken up yet." Widow drolled on in a bored tone, "It would be a shame to see Overwatch torn apart from the inside again. Wouldn't it Commander?"

Internally Widow winced, sorry Lena I don't mean to besmirch you but I have to get information. "If you don't want that to happen, I suggest you get Dr. Ziegler up here."

The gears begin to turn in Jack's head and he lets out a stream of curses, bringing the com on his wrist up to his face he started giving orders as he slammed the door behind him.

Without a clock she couldn't say for sure but Widow was confident it was at least another hour before the door opened again, this time the good doctor entered first, followed by Jack. It was hard to see in the dim light of the interrogation room so it did not register at first, the scent hit first and then Widow noted the blood drying along the Doctor's usually pristine white coat. Amélie flinched inside, leaving Widow silent lest she give way to the nagging urge to ask about Lena. The silence ticked by minute after minute until Angela spoke up first.

"You erm... wished to speak with me regarding Le-Tracer?" Angela winced as she switched to Lena's Hero moniker, ridiculous for sure Widowmaker already knew, but old habits die hard dammit.

Widowmaker gave a slow, leisurely blink as she reigned in Amélie's endless chatter of questions and formed her own. "Yes. And it would greatly benefit Overwatch as well as L-Tracer to listen."

Angela noted the crack in Widowmaker's tone as the woman glossed over Lena's name as well, nodding that she understood she waved her hand slightly for the other woman to continue.

"Since you're here she is as stable as she can be given the circumstances. For your safety and her's keep her unconscious. And then you are going to get that big... Ape?" receiving a small nod from the doctor she went on, "The Ape, and have him assist. Moi-Dr.O'Deorain had Sombra help her tamper with and tap into that ridiculous thing on the girl's chest."

A sharp intake of breath betrayed the Doctor's feelings on her old lab mate and a grunt of surprise sounded from the grumpy geriatric in the corner revealed he didn't know Moira was still an active threat.

Looking up to the ceiling to avoid the chance of her cold mask breaking Widow continued. "The control unit is implanted on the back of her neck, no doubt entwined around her spinal column. I would start there to free her. She is under orders to exterminate yours truly and return to the good Doctor; no matter who gets in her way. I feel like you wouldn't like that."

"The second part perhaps." Jack growled, not even bothering to hide the contempt in his voice.

Ziegler leveled a glare his way before returning to Widowmaker. "Well I erm, thank you Widowmaker. I will have Winston and myself get on it. Is there... anything else?"

Widowmaker let out a laugh, startling both Angela, Jack, and the bean counters behind the glass no doubt. "What else could there be? That little gnat wants me dead. You can either save her, or kill her in the process why should I care?"

Flinching back at the callous tone Angela started to say something, reaching out almost taking Amélie's cold hand before they pulled back with the sound of scraping chain. Shaking her head Angela stood up and left the room hurrying back deeper in the base, speaking into her com requesting Athena to page Winston immediately to hospital bay 5. This was going to be a long day.

Chapter Text

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

"Pass me the forceps."

*Beep* *Beep*

"Watch her Oxygen levels."

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

"Winston, what do you think? I've never seen something this intricate in someplace so delicate. Even Genji's were..." Angela's voice trailed off as she turned to look at him.

Pushing his spectacles back up he brought a magnifying glass and peered through. "I think we should have Athena bring up the scan and we track the strands back to their source and remove each one individually. I don't think the main chassis will detach until everything is untangled. With how they criss crossed they are I don't think we can pull on it without those wires doing some serious damage."

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

"I was afraid of that. Let's get going."

Chapter Text

Angela slowly stripped off her gloves as she sunk into her chair. Tossing them towards the trash can before moving on to her mask. Slumping back she cued up Athena began to record her observations near abouts half asleep.

"Subject: Trace... Lena Oxton."
"Date: April... I'll get back to that."
"Attending: Dr. Angela Ziegler & Winston"
"Findings: Implanted and embedded device in Subjects neck. Wires extending down, wrapping around the vertebrae in the immediate vicinity from base of the skull down to the shoulders. The device received signals from the Subject's Chronal Accelerator -- see file 561-A --which was broadcasting a signal the likes of which we could not find a source from. Once the device was removed the signal from the Accelerator ceased to exist from our sensors. Curious. Winston has plans to try and find the original source, but that is waiting until the Subject recovers and can withstand prolonged testing."

Rubbing her temples Angela waved Athena off and forced herself back on her feet. Trudging back up the hall she winced as the harsh beeping of all the machines hooked up to Lena let out their piercing cries. Taking a quick reading and noting it on her chart Angela couldn't help the pang in her heart at the girl covered in tubes, tape, and gauze. So young and yet she's been through so much.

Moving closer Angela's gaze slowly raked from Lena's blanket covered feet up to her unconscious face. The surgery had been a success, she repeated to herself. And yet... Angela's hand hesitates over Lena's. Drawing back her hand drifted down to her side. The flashbacks started again, growing in intensity as Lena's form blurred between her own, and the last woman Angela called a friend she thought to have rescued from Talon's claws seemingly in the nick of time.

Dropping down Angela drew her knees up to her chest leaning against the gurney begging anyone out there who would listen that it wouldn't be like last time. It couldn't end like that. Not again. She would not make the same mistakes.

Silent sobs left her as she stayed curled up, the sounds of hospital equipment easily drowning out any noises she may have made. She faintly registered the sound of the recovery room's door sliding open, barely concious where she sat until a blanket wrapped itself around her shoulders. It felt like moving through mud but she looked up and slowly she managed to piece together Fareeha's concerned face staring back at her.

Strong hands guided her up, taking the chart from her numb hands and setting it aside. "Angie, come on. You need to rest."

Wanting to protest, she was fine if a little dehydrated, Angela tried to move away before pitching forward and toppling into Fareeha's embrace. Clutching at the soft material of her shirt she gave a sniffle and pushed herself deeper into her girlfriend's arms. Fareeha smoothed that blonde hair back in place and wrapped the doctor tight. Her own eyes looking over Angela's head at the unconscious girl, anxious doubt clouding her mind before being dismissed for later as she led Angela out of the Med bay and back to her quarters.

Chapter Text

Darkness.

It's always darkness.

Can't the void ever have a bit of flare to it, just this once?

Icy numbness had taken over so long Lena wasn't sure she even knew how to move anymore. She had been submerged, cut off for so long she couldn't remember when the red streaks had left what she had began calling her sky. The empty abyss above her swirled in neverending blackness, its chill grip on her ever so ruthless and determined to wring what little will to live she had left.

*Beep*

Nothing mattered. What was the point of fighting this any longer? Wouldn't it be easier to just let go, to give in? Maybe it wouldn't hurt so much.

A twinge of warmth flitted through her at the thought. Amused Lena tried to laugh, the empty void swallowing the sound before it reached her ears.

No. I can't give up. Not yet. There's so many people I can't bear to disappoint. The Commander. Mccree. Winston. Fareeha. Angie. Em and Amé......

Gentle waves of warmth washed over her as she caressed those names in her mind. So wrapped up in her thoughts she mindlessly glanced over the black backdrop as it mellowed out.

...Angie. Em. Amé...

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

Gah, who can think with all this bloody racket? I swear I'll...

Lena cut off in shock, finally noticing the receding darkness replacing itself with a soft blue glow. What the hel...

A shimmering translucent orb swayed back and forth near her; drifting down it settled just in front of her face.

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

Slack jawed Lena stared up at it until the orb seemed to lean in and lightly brushed against her forehead. All at once all consuming heat enveloped her, the numbness banished from her body so fast she worried she would end up being charred along with it.

A voice, silken and faint with the same exhaustion Lena felt deep in her bones, whispered words of comfort.

Time to go home.

Chapter Text

Warmth. Lights. That god awful beeping. Only partially surprised to have pain enter the mix, Lena embraced them all.

Struggling through fog she fought every second refusing to let darkness take hold again until she lifted her leaden eyelids and stared up at the painfully bright hospital lights. Panic set in a moment, the last set of lights like these she had seen did not end well for her. Her body refused to respond, furthering her panic. Control came slowly, her arms lifted jolting to a stop not of their own accord. Managing to move her head slightly she took in the leather straps keeping her secured to the hospital bed. Following up her arm she caught sight of gauze and needles.

Sick to her stomach Lena looked around wildly, the sound of a door entered the din of screaming machines set her off and she struggled harder to get up and get away. Voices drifted towards her and the echo of running feet. Half sitting up Lena felt red hot pain sear down her neck and bloom in her chest. That was a problem for later. Gasping for air her head whipped around as she was surrounded. Several people fussed trying to grab hold of her, their words getting so jumbled up she couldn't make sense of any of them.

Suddenly her eyes managed to lock on something seemingly out of place. A woman. Pushed up against the far wall, a fallen chair between them. Time seemed to slow as Lena took her in. Pale blue jeans, a white shirt, and a green scarf led up to a mess of red hair and hazelnut eyes that stared deep into her own. Fear and sadness were painted across the woman's face. Emily. It had to be. But how?

She wanted to say something. Anything. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she jerked away, the straps eating into her wrists. The movement turned out to be a mistake as nausea swept in and she barely managed to heave her head over the side of the bed before wretching all over the floor. Gentle hands repositioned her back into bed and tightened the straps back down.

"Sedative. Be careful. She may be confused or worse."

A quick prick of a needle and Lena felt her body turning heavy again. Struggling to fight the leaden weight coursing through her Lena's hand shot out and grabbed a hold of a white sleeve. The owner of the lab coat finally turned to look at her and Lena found herself face to face with Dr. Ziegler. Feral fear crossed Lena's face as she slipped back into unconsciousness. The last she saw was Angela's remorseful eyes trying to comfort her even as her grip went slack.

Chapter Text

"I'm telling you Angela, she recognized me." Emily stated again for the who knows how many times.

Angela tensed letting out a breath as she turned to face Emily. "I understand. But, we still need to be careful. Just because she shows recognition doesn't mean she's in her right mind. We can't just give her free reign of the place. I can't have another Amé..."

Emily cut her off hissing, "To hell with what happened to Améle! How are you supposed to get Lena back if you keep her unconscious. Is she just going to become a centerpiece for your hospital?!"

Taking a deep breath Angela struggled to put her personal feelings aside. "Emily. You care for her, I do too. But, her body has experienced a massive amount of trauma over a short period and we can't begin to fathom what trauma was introduced to her mind. Her body can take care of itself. Once that is out of the way we can focus on seeing if Lena will come back to us."

Seething Emily wanted to press the matter further but Angela cut in before she could.

"If you want to help then keep doing what you're doing. I don't know how much she understands while you're there with her, but every little bit counts."

"I don't want to just be sitting around waiting. Here's a thought. have you gotten anything out of the Widowmaker?" Emily badgered. "She ought to know some of what they did."

"Amél... Widowmaker is not speaking with anyone right now. The commander wants answers as well and it seems she is less than forth coming."

"Then let me talk to her. She spoke to me before."

"She also threatened to shoot you several times as I recall."

Waving a hand Emily tried to dismiss the words as if they were tangible. "Yes well I may have slapped her a couple times, so it's not entirely on her. Please Angie, maybe she doesn't trust you guys. She knows I know Lena like... like she does. I can try to get through to her."

She hated it, but Emily was making some sense. If Widowmaker was so far gone why would she care that Lena was part of Talon? Self preservation couldn't be the whole answer either. A totally broken Widowmaker would not have missed such an easy shot. Could Widowmaker be trying to get help? Was Amélie still in there somehow?

"I will talk to Morrison, but I offer you no promises."

Chapter Text

"Now, let's go over this one more time. Amari will go in first and secure the prisoner. You will enter while she is there and once she feels everything is secure she will step out. The door will remain unlocked and a dozen personel will be outside. Your wire remains on the entire time, if it becomes compromised for even a second they will storm the place. I want answers on what Talon is up to. This information can be traded for, if she asks for something I will tell you if it is a deal or not. Keep your own information as vague as possible. If you think there's a hint of danger you are to com in and you will be removed. Understand?" Commander Morrison was firing off sentences a mile a minute as Emily was outfitted with a microphone and com.

"Jack, slow down. Are you sure..." Angela started.

"This was hers and your idea. I'm simply making it as safe as I can. She can back out now if she wants."

"No! I'm doing this." Emily scowled straightening her shirt.

"Alright, Amari you're up." Jack signalled as they reached the end of the corridor.

Silent, Fareeha nodded and proceeded through the door. She didn't like this but if it offered even a hint of hope for Lena then perhaps it was worth it. And besides she saw the red head had Widowmaker next to disabled against a brick wall, the girl had spunk she could handle this. The room was a dull grey, bare bones furnished, and in the center of it all sat the assassin.

Widowmaker hardly looked up as the door opened and shut, that is until it didn't immediately open and close again. Lazily looking over at the door, that Amari girl had entered again. She didn't have to ask anything, Amari was already barking orders.

"Stay there. Hands out and don't move."

Rolling her eyes Widow presented her wrists. A quick click they were shackled together and the chain attached to the headboard. After she was secured Fareeha did a search of the room, not that she would find anything. She had conducted searches every day just in case, sometimes multiple.

Satisfied she grunted and raised her wrist up, "Asset secure. You're free to enter."

The door opened and Widow tensed as she saw that red headed Snip entering. She crossed over and Fareeha spun the chair from the table around for Emily to sit in. Emily sat perched on the edge of the chair and she gave Fareeha a nod.

Setting her steely gaze on Widowmaker Fareeha spoke firmly. "I am right outside. Don't try anything."

Widow simply showed her upturned empty palms and rattled the chain attached to them, calling her an idiot without saying anything.

Emily and Widowmaker watched in silence as Fareeha left the room. The click of the door latch closing offering the disturbing conclusion that they were alone. Slowly their gazes locked, Widowmaker's golden irises cutting deep into Emily's.

Chapter Text

The silence stretched until Widowmaker let out a huff and rolled her eyes. "So now they send in the red headed pup? Have they truly run out of bean counters for their questioning?"

Sitting up straight Emily's glare did nothing to evoke anything in Widow other than a smirk as she spoke up. "No. I told them to send me."

"Oh? And what miracle are you hoping to achieve and with what means?"

She knew Widow was trying to get a rise out of her and it damn sure was working; taking a deep breath she leveled her voice through gritted teeth. "Cut the crap Widowmaker. You have information I want and I have news that you would like to have. So, you are going to answer some questions and we can both move on with our lives."

"What news would that be?" curiosity peeked Widow shifted her body towards the girl and leaned back against the headboard.

"News about Lena."

"Why would I care what happens with that thorn in my side?" Widow's heart skipped a beat and her whole body tensed.

"For the same reason you tracked me to my apartment not so long ago. And thanks for that by the way, I'm not allowed back there for God knows how long and now I'm paying rent for somewhere I can't be." Emily admittedly got sidetracked, but it felt strangely nice to vent even if this was the source of most of her problems.

Widowmaker was silent, mulling it over and decided to make a quip instead. "It's that or find Talon bursting through your door. I admit, yours was slightly more secure than Tracer's but nonetheless would protect you as well as a cardboard box."

Bristling Emily growled, "Look. You can pretend you don't have a care in the world but! I had to endure countless stories about you so, I've been led to believe you have something resembling a heart in there. Tell me everything you know about what they did to Lena."

Of course Lena would go babbling to this girl, curious how long it had been going on but not enough to ask Widow mulled it over. She was in fact, desperate for any news on Lena. Ziegler would have informed her if she had died but that was all she had to go on and blind faith.

She closed her eyes and inhaled quietly through her nose before letting out a long breath and fixing Emily in her gaze again. "Very well. But, before I do you will answer a question of mine."

Emily didn't bother looking at the com for Jack's permission, this is what she was here for Jack's mission be damned. "Fine. One. And then I want it all."

"Did she wake up?"

Surprised at the simplicity of the question it took Emily a moment to answer. "Yes... Three days ago. She has been kept sedated until her physical wounds have healed."

Inside Amélie breathed a sigh of relief; setting aside the bundle of questions she may have had Widowmaker began her tale.

Emily made some mental notes, but knowing she didn't have to remember every single word thanks to the wire she was able to study Widowmaker. Based on the coms clock it took over an hour for Widowmaker to explain in depth everything she knew about what Moira or Sombra may have done to create Slipstream.

"So, by all accounts it's just that control pad and she should be herself now that it's gone right?" Emily asked as Widowmaker fell silent.

"Could be."

"What do you mean could? You just said that that was the control. So Lena should be fine."

"You're fishing for an angle to wake her up. You may not like what you find when you do."

"What do you know. They didn't have to go into her head and pull some mumbo jumbo conditioning or whatever they did with you. So she should be okay."

Eyes narrowing Widow hissed, "Listen you impertinent pup. Ask yourself this. if they didn't have to go digging through her head to make her do that, what makes you think she wouldn't do it again as soon as she wakes?!"

"Lena would never! She's nothing like you!" Emily yelled, jumping to her feet hand balled into fists. "You just can't face the fact you may have to come to terms with almost succeeding in killing her!"

"Oh you annoying child. I did Lena a favor."

"Of all the!!! You call shooting someone a favor!" hollering louder, her com crackled asking if she was okay but she ignored them.

"I shot her so she wouldn't have to live with the fact she would have killed someone she loved dearly. She may not fully know it, but she planned to make you her Gerard. I would not allow myself to let her live with that pain. No, she could not become like me." Widow hissed, her eyes narrowed into slits. "Who would the monster be then?"

Emily froze, wracking her brain to remember where she heard the name Gerard before. The tragic tale of the Widowmaker, that's where. Realization dawned on her, Widow had most likely saved her life and Lena's sanity. As everything clicked together she noticed Widowmaker's face had softened and filled with pain. The barest hint of tears had gathered in her eyes, a quick blink and they were gone replaced with disdain.

"Get out. I'm done." Rolling over Widow pulled her arms close and half curled into a ball facing away from that asinine girl and her questions.

The door opened quickly and footsteps faded away as Widow struggled to keep a grip on her runaway emotions. Lena is alive and with luck she will fine.

Chapter Text

After her weeks of sitting for hours in that room, the cacophony of hospital instrument beeping didn't bother her anymore. Emily sat by Lena's bedside, moving only when the doctors came to check and run tests or to get food. She wasn't lying, Angela and even Fareeha, refused to let her return to her apartment after Widowmaker had so easily found her. With Lena so deep in the mix, Emily had been sucked deeper into Overwatch in an attempt to keep her from being Talon's next move.

Even medically asleep Lena was still prone to her tossing and turning. She was safe from flopping out of bed, the straps were good for that at least, but that just made the brunette more restless. Emily brought her head up as she heard the sheets crinkle and rustle as Lena shifted again. Lena's brow was furrowed and she tried to roll again muttering nonsense.

Standing up Emily gently brushed away the stray locks in Lena's face. "Babe, relax. You're safe, everything's going to be okay."

She knew she shouldn't but Emily threaded her fingers with Lena's and gave a soft squeeze. The brunette's fingers fluttered in her grip and she let out dreamy sigh.

"Eei... Erml...Am...eie"

Shaken, Emily tried hard to swallow the lump in her throat. Even here she couldn't escape that devil woman, but she had said both their names right? No matter, Lena had stopped struggling and seemed to have drifted deeper into unconsciousness again. Giving the hand another squeeze Emily sat back down.

"She planned to make you her Gerard. I would not allow myself to let her live with that pain. No, she could not become like me."

Those words echoed constantly in her head, mocking her. Lena hadn't been in her right mind, but she was going to kill her. Widow could have had everything she wanted- Lena, freedom from Talon, and no red headed snip in her way as she put it. Her part in this game left Emily sick, but if she hadn't been there. If it had just been Lena facing Talon's onslaught alone. Would she have been able to save herself? Would Lena have made some self fulfilling prophecy and simply repeated Overwatch's rather bloody history with captured agents?
________________________

"You mean she'll be allowed to wake up?" Emily bounced out of her chair, begging for this to not be a cruel trick.

"Yes. But, there is going to be some painful restrictions I'm afraid." Angela hesitated. "Visitors aren't allowed. If she isn't in her right mind we don't know what will set her off. She's going to be in her old stabilizing chamber. We can't risk that her accelerator wasn't compromised and Winston is giving it the once over with a fine toothed comb."

"But Angie..."

"No. I'm sorry Emily but you've done what you can for now. Once we determine she is stable we will be exposing her little by little to see if she is still..."

"Still Lena." Emily finished wryly.

"Yes. This has to be taken seriously. If done right, we can root out anything that's amiss with her before something happens we all regret. The fact the last thing she did was try and... We don't want to bring that up so early into her waking up in case she remembers." placing a hand on Emily's shoulder Angela gave it a squeeze of comfort. "I will let you know how things are going."

Nodding she understood Emily thanked the doctor and made her way back through the mess of halls to find her temporary lodgings. Collapsing in a heap on her bunk she clung to thought of Lena finally getting out of that bed.

Chapter Text

Lena tried to cling to the rough calm she had worked to find. The dreams were pleasant, most of the time, but she could never shake the feeling that she could slip at any moment and end up back in that frozen void of nothing. The blue helped. It hadn't left her side but this wasn't like her other interactions, further proof she wasn't drifting about in the endless gaps between time. She could feel it's presence nearby but that was all.

Vaguely she could have sworn the voice above her had morphed into several but nothing got through to her in any way that made sense. The infernal beeping ceased and that calming presence grew warmer. She wasn't feeling sleepy but she felt comfortable for the first time in a long while and she rolled over anyway curling up. Several minutes passed as Lena's mind processed this fact. She had rolled over. The beeping was gone.

Taking a moment to do this slowly, she didn't want to set off any alarms that she could be waking up, Lena began to test out her limbs one by one. They were stiff from disuse but as the fog and mud cleared she managed to get them back to moving under her will. Shakily she opened one eye then the other. Groggy she looked around and vaguely recalled the barren walls as familiar. To confirm her suspicions she moved her head all the way to the right and just as she thought there was that large bay window. Except it had been blacked out with a curtain on the other side.

Next she checked her arms. The wires were gone but on her right wrist was a rather curious, bulky looking watch. Bringing it up to her ear she heard a faint hum. Tapping what looked like a screen on top brought up a series of symbols, numbers, and letters. She could pick out the heartbeat and blood pressure readings, the rest were a mystery. Fully sitting up ahead looked around for anyone else, that's when the speaker cracked to life.

"Good Morning!" a rather husky sounding male voice announced with an air of familiarity. "May I ask your name?"

Struggling to find the source of the voice Lena couldn't help a small giggle leaving her and she shouted back, "Winston! What kind of question is that? It's Lena, don't tell me everyone's plum forgot me?"

A buzz sounded in the corner as the intercom came back to life. "Of course not Lena! We could never but..."

The great big oaf trailed off and Lena's mind raced trying to figure out what could have come after the but. All at once fragments came crashing back. Reeling Lena grabbed her head as the headaches washed over her.

Sombra. Talon. Moira. Danger!

Hand flying up she groped at the back of her neck in horror, her hands brushing over smooth skin until the hit a sensitive patch still partially scabbed over.

"W-Winston! What, where, how?!" Questions spilled out all at once mashing together into one long sentence.

"Lena! Calm down, you're okay. You're..." The sound of a door opening sounded cutting him off and a more feminine voice carried through faintly.

"Ah Winston, I noticed a spike in her heartbeat and... Winston! What happened?! Why didn't you say she was awake?!?"

"She just woke up, we started to speak and then this..." Worrying plagued the scientist and his turned his attention back towards his friend. "Lena! Hey, listen to me. Dr. Ziegler is here. We're doing everything we can to help but I need you to calm down so we can."

"C-calm down?!? I don't think this calls for calm!" Lena yelped back, her hands going back to cradle her throbbing skull.

"Oxton. I need you to breath for me. Can you do that? We need you stabilised before I can send help in." Angela's voice was pained, forced to watch from behind closed doors as Lena suffered the events of waking up.

"A-angie, I don't know if I c-can. It... It hurts so much." a strangled sob left Lena, sending a dull shard of pain through her chest.

"Please, deep breaths. Tell me your name, and the last thing you remember before waking up?"

Curled into a fetal position Lena sucked in panting breaths between gritted teeth struggling to think. "It's Le-lena Oxton. Former RAF pilot and member of Overwatch. I... I was at home, doctor's orders..."

Keeling forward as her head felt like it was going to split open Lena felt the tear drops fall onto her legs but she pushed forward anyway. "There... there was an intruder. She took me away. Dr. O'Deorain was there. And then... and then it's blank."

Chapter Text

The days settled into a predictable lull. Lena would wake up, Athena would signal Doc or Winston and they would come check up on her. She didn't have much physical interaction; she knew why but it was slowly eating at her nonetheless. She made it a week before breaking down and begging for Angie, Winston, the janitor, someone. She needed to know that this was real and not some delusion she had cooked up. While sympathetic, Jack was still wary.

Several days passed and Lena lay on the floor, ignoring the bed in the center, her legs balanced against the wall above her. The feel of her legs going numb from the elevation the only evidence she had that she was still in her body. Winston had voiced his concerns, she was still recovering after all, but knew it wouldn't be of much use. The door opened and Lena hardly moved, they would be scrambling back out soon anyhow no use getting her hopes up.

This time however, the noise was different. Metal sliding on metal, a little click, various objects set down. Curiosity won over and she rolled over onto her stomach to take a look. A small table had been set up off to the side and beside it stood two someones.

Leaping up Lena yelped, "Angie! Fareeha! Oh gods I thought I was goin to have to move to the insane asylum soon. You won't believe how..."

She had started moving forward as she spoke, cutting off and freezing as Fareeha had swiftly moved in front of the good doctor and crossed her arms with a glare.

"Fareeha, there's no need..." Angela put a hand on the other's arm.

Lena wilted slightly, "Anubis come on, you don't think I'd ever... Okay, you have me there. But still, at this point stuck in here I'm no more a threat than your average solider which by the way, you can almost always tear through like tissue paper."

Wincing Fareeha unfolded her arms and gave a small half smile. "Lena, I'm trying, we all are. But you have to admit these sort of precautions are necessary."

Angela walked around Fareeha and extended a hand towards Lena, "Come on Oxton. You've shown good progress, and Winston has given Jack hell about giving you something more grounding."

Taking a couple flighty steps forward Lena hesitated wondering if this was all going to disappear and she'd wake up alone again. Throwing caution to the wind she closed the gap and threw herself into Angela's arms. Fareeha tensed half ready to intervene when Angela held up a hand. Lena let out a soft sniffle, struggling not break down crying right now lest she ruin whatever this was. Trembling slightly Lena stayed latched onto to Angela as the blonde stroked her hair. She allowed herself to be guided onto one of the fold up chairs, quickly retaking Angela's hand once she and Fareeha sat down.

"Sorry Anubis, I'd take your hand too but you may need it free if something happens." Lena quipped half heartedly, only partially joking.

Rolling her eyes Fareeha clapped a hand lightly on Lena's shoulder. "We wouldn't be here if we didn't believe in you."

Her smile becoming a little more genuine Lena looked back towards Angela, "So what do I owe for this?"

"We're here to interact. And to talk if you're up to it." Angela gave the hand in hers a squeeze. "You can start whenever your heart desires."

Swallowing hard Lena shook her head. "C-can we talk about it later? You're the first living thing I've interacted with in... forever."

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The three settled into a comfortable rhythm. Once a day Angela and Fareeha, or Angie and Winston would come sit for a few hours to keep Lena from losing her mind. It took several days of mundane chatter before Lena managed to open up.

"A-ang, I have to tell you something." Lena's voice quivered.

"Anything Lena. What's wrong?" Concern etched across her face and she reached out to take Lena's hand and was shocked when she pulled away.

"I... I think I did some bad things." Her head hung, voice barely above a whisper.

"What kinds of things?"

Sniffling Lena fretted with the hem of her shirt. "I don't have anything exact. It's all fuzzy. But I keep seeing faces I don't know. Civilians maybe? It all ends the same, somebody with my face staring back at me. There's blood. A lot of blood. I... I killed people, didn't I?"

Angela's heart wrenched painfully at the agony in Lena's voice and she shared a look with Fareeha. "Lena dear, we don't have any specifics either. But, even if you... things happened, it wasn't a choice you made on your own."

Simply nodding as some tears escaped Lena pulled an arm up and scrubbed them away shamefully. "There's another face. It keeps me up. Dr. O'Deorain. I know she can't get me but... what if she did something to me other than just messing with my tech. I don't feel different. But, then again neither did Amélie until it was too late."

"We're here for you. We know a lot more now than we did then. And you had something easier to take control of than the human psyche. Yes, they had things scrambled but you've improved tenfold."

"Hang in there Lena. We'll sort this out." Angela locked eyes with Fareeha who also had a look of empathy.

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"She's retreating into her shell again. She wants to talk about it, I'm sure but she's worried any misstep would make us reject her." Angela dropped her head into her hands. "I'm supposed to have all the answers, but what if I make the same mistakes again?"

"Ang, listen. No one expects you to be perfect. I think... I think we're all too close to this. Maybe we need to step back and have a new perspective." Fareeha rubbed the doctors neck in comfort, it's true she felt Lena was holding back.
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Lena threw the small hacky sack up into the air and bounced it off the wall back to her. Visits could only do so much to curb her boredom as she tried to work through whatever it is they did to her mind. Winston was always eager to tell her about her accelerator, he was so close to having it back together having nearly rebuilt it from the ground up to ensure every wire was one he put in himself. She tossed the hacky sack again just as the door slid open, earning herself a solid wack to the side of the head as she lost focus trying to see who was here.

"Bloody ow..." rubbing her temple Lena looked to the open door.

A soft laugh rang out, so beautiful Lena could swear it was an angel's, followed by a voice she thought she'd never hear again. "Lena. I'm glad you're awake."

Scrambling to sit up Lena sat on her bed blinking in disbelief as the door slid shut, her own voice cracking hard. "E-Em? What're you doing here?"

Unbothered Emily crossed over and sat on the edge of the bed giving a soft smile. "I'm here to see you doofus. Unless this is a bad time?"

"No, no! It's fine! Great time! Not that I really have much control as to who gets to do what anyhow given how..." Lena's rambling cut off sharply and she went pale shaking her head.

"Given how you're still recovering from Talon?" Emily finished delicately, looking for some sort of reaction.

Swallowing hard Lena's head jerked roughly in a nod. An uncomfortable silence filled the room as they both sat there.

"Y-you know?"

Confusion crossed Emily's face and she furrowed her brow. "Lena... of course I do. I was there when Wi... Amélie brought you to them."

With the mention of Amélie Lena flinched her face filled with questions. Opening her mouth to ask she winced, her hand shooting up gripping her head as pain lanced through. Blurry images came to the front, rooftops, gunfire, a purple catsuit. The last one was clear as day; Lena, lifting her pistol and aiming between two purple arms, and setting the sights on her red headed target. A gunshot went off and everything faded to black.

"lena..." "leNA..." "LENA!"

She faintly became aware of Emily calling her name loudly, gently shaking her shoulder. Curled up in a ball Lena looked up at her pale as a ghost. "I...I tried to kill you."

"O-oh God Em I'm so sorry! I-I don't know what I was thinking!" Lena curled up tighter on herself, as if trying to keep her body in check.

"Lena! Stay with me! You're okay, I'm fine! You didn't hurt me." Emily pulled Lena around so they faced eachother, cupping her face in her hands. "You didn't do it. Widow... she stopped you."

Shaking hard Lena sat staring before she roughly uncoiled latching onto Emily like a lifeline. Sobs wracked her whole body as she clung to Emily, making nonsensical noises and words. After the initial shock, Emily wrapped her arms around Lena combing her hand through her hair and rubbing her back in an attempt to soothe. Hiccuping and sobbing Lena babbled on tucking herself into Emily's side having the breakdown she had so long been trying to prevent.

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Lena woke up groggy, unsure of what was going on. Something tickled her nose and she whined in annoyance turning her head enough to nuzzle into the pillow and scratch it. Except, it wasn't any fabric and cotton she pressed into, warm skin greeted her waking her up further as she squinted up. Whoever was underneath her shifted and fingers brushed through her brown mop of hair.

"Hey there." Emily's quiet whisper filtered down to her and Lena relaxed.

Eyes burning from everything she'd let out Lena swallowed past the lump in her throat. "H-hey... how long was I..."

"A couple hours. You just missed Angie. Do you want to get up?"

Shaking her head Lena readjusted so she wasn't completely smothering Emily. Half conscious Lena laid her head back on Emily's shoulder, half tucked into the crook of her neck. Emily fell silent, tracing simple patterns onto Lena's back and shoulders, coaxing the Brit to close her eyes again. It didn't last long until Lena was squirming.

"E-em? I'm sorry."

"Lena, I told you. You didn't mean to."

"No not that. Well, I mean yeah that too. I'm sorry. For... everything." Lena tried to curl into herself, only succeeding in tangling herself around Emily. "For thinking I could play the part of hero. Dragging you through everything. The fights. Thinking I knew better. Now look at me."

Emily bristled, "Now you listen here Oxton. Don't you sit there feeling sorry for yourself."

"But..."

"No buts! You are a hero. This is a set back true. But that doesn't mean you're going to lay down and give up. That's not the Lena I know." Gritting her teeth she took a deep breath and reluctantly added. "That is not the woman Widowmaker would defect for."

Lena froze as she digested what Emily was saying. How much it probably pained her to speak about Widow like that. Wanting to drop it Lena nodded closing her eyes tight.
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Emily had been an enthusiastic lifeline, but as night approached everyone started voicing their concern. Lena sat silent in the corner, like a scolded dog, as Jack, Angela, Winston, & Emily argued.

"We still don't know. I don't like this." Jack growled out.

"Yes, Emily there are certainly risks we need to take into account." Angela rolled her eyes at Jack.

"I don't care. You can't make me leave." Emily hissed, "She's a person you know. You can start treating her as such."

"I well, yes. Emily, think about it this way. If something happens," Winston's gaze landed on Emily's furious expression and Lena's cowed posture and he sputtered, "Not that it will! But, worst case scenario what do you think will happen to Lena if somehow you did get hurt?"

"She won't hurt me!"

"Um.... If I may? I think I have a compromise. " Lena's voice came out as a soft squeak, everyone turned to her. "I've been tied up all night before."

Emily lifted a brow and Winston looked away hiding a cough.

Suddenly realizing what had come out of her mouth Lena's face went tomato red, even her ears heating up in embarrassment. "Not like that!" Lena squeaked out ducking her head. "What I mean is, uh when I went missing the first time Sombra had me a few days and I was bound the whole time. We can just, I dunno, tie my hands or something? Just for the night."

Angela grumbled something to herself, "I'll speak with you about that first bit later Oxton. But she may have a point. It's not fool proof, but if could give us more time to respond if something happened."

There was more arguing on both sides but eventually the other half conceded to her plan. Lena crawled into bed, scooting off to the side so that Emily would have room and offered out her wrists. Angela wrapped some padding around them first before looping the medical straps around her wrists and securing her to the gurney again. Everyone said their goodbyes and once the door closed Emily dimmed the lights and crawled up behind Lena laying down.

Once they were both settled in Emily couldn't help herself. "Soooo, tied up all night before hmm?"

"Emmmmm!!!!" Lena whined loudly hiding her face.

Still chuckling Emily dropped it and settled in for the night.

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"How about it Lena? Fancy a walk?" Emily was very chipper for having been isolated with her for several days.

"I dunno Em. Are you sure it'll be okay? It is getting late." Lena had to admit, it was very tempting.

Angela had been adamant that Lena be able to get some exercise, and despite Jack's objections, Lena had been granted a temporary reprieve so long as she and Emily stayed within sight of a guard at all times. Winston was all too happy to present Lena with her accelerator again, everything had checked out and while she could it would be in her best interest not to use her abilities so as to not make Jack anymore jumpy than he is.

"You've been cooped up longer than I have. Don't you want to stretch your legs?"

Lena's leg muscles twitched at the reminder of her extended stay inside the tiny room. She still had mixed feelings for her special chamber, it kept her in the correct timeline yes, but it also left her with a restless urge to always be on the move and now she was stuck in it again.

"Yah know what, let's go. I promised Winston I'd let him know if his rebuild fits well." Lena hopped off the bed and scooping up the new and improved accelerator.

Rote memory took over as she easily slid inside, threading the supple straps through the buckles, and pulling them snug. Humming a jaunty tune Lena jogged over to the makeshift dresser and slipped into a light jacket. Turning back she found Emily staring wistfully at her with a soft smile.

Crooking a brow Lena offered an arm, "What's up Em?"

"Nothing... Shall we?" Shaking her head Emily hooked her arm through Lena's; she had seen a glimpse of the old Lena, carefree and happy.
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"Okay okay. So this next one Mccree told me, 'Why can't Italian snakes'... Hold up, you hear that?" Lena's chuckle cut off and she signaled Emily to do the same.

"Hear what?" Curious Emily cocked her head to the side listening intently.

Lena put a finger to her lips and took Emily's hand, pulling her up towards a half closed door. Creeping up Lena peeked inside to the curious sight of Angela, Winston, Jack, and Fareeha around a small table while Jack took the lead again.

"Look, I don't like it either but think of it this way. What if this happens again? What if there is something buried so deep down it won't surface for years? We have to be prepared."

"Jack! This is our friend we're talking about! We can't just..." Angela started but was cut off again, and from the look on her face this wasn't the first time.

"The organization comes first." Jack growled slapping the table with his palm. "I will not have another incident. Not if there's an easy way out. Winston. You've been quiet."

Startled out of his thoughts Winston adjusted his glasses trying to pick his words carefully. "Oh, yes sorry Commander. I was just... thinking about your proposal... Is all. This is... not something I am comfortable with sir."

"Comfort is a luxury we can't afford right now."

"I uh, understand but the implications you see..." Winston trailed off at a loss for words looking towards Angela for help.

"This. Is. Absurd! She is a person, Lena has rights!" Angela jumped out of her chair, voice raised in a manner she seldom used. "You are out of line Jack!"

Lena froze at the mention of her name, they were talking about her? Desperate to know more she waved Emily off and moved closer to the door.

"How is trying to protect everyone out of line?! You forget your place Dr. Ziegler this is not a hospital, I am in charge here. Your input is noted, now Sit. Down." Jack's gruff dismissal earned him another shout from Angela but he talked over her.

"Winston. I want it done. Tonight. You will put in a kill switch and once it's finished you will not lay another hand on it. It will be tested and given back to her. If she gets out of line a simple flip of a switch and the facility is safe. I am not asking again."

Lena's heart raced as she began to process this. Kill switch. Safe. Protect everyone; from what? Me? The gears in her mind were turning at all the implications, she didn't notice that Angela had got up to leave and suddenly the door was open revealing Lena standing on the other side the group unsure of how much she had heard.

All the color had drained from Lena's face and fear was etched into every inch of it, her voice a horrified whisper. "Y-you want to send me back? To... to cut me off... leave me stranded in...in that..."

Lena's willowy form was trembling now, her shaking hands coming up and covering the pulsating blue light on her chest before her voice exploded. "Y-you can't! I'm not going back! I... I can't! No! NO!!"

Unable to understand most of the implications Emily trotted forward with her hands splayed in front reassuringly, "Hey, Lena calm down. It's okay. No one's going to do anything."

Her head whipping around Lena stared at the red head, her eyes as wild as a rabbit cornered by rabid dogs, a feral edge creeping into her distressed cry, "N-no. You can't make me! NO!"

By now Jack and Fareeha had leapt up and were making their way towards the door. And Lena. Panicked Lena scrambled backwards and tripped over her own feet sending her sprawling on the ground. Emily called out to her but it was too late, Lena launched herself up in a blur of blue light and disappeared down the hall.

Swearing Jack wrenched his wrist up yelling orders into his wrist. "Oxton is loose. All hands on deck. Be careful, she may not be herself."

As Jack continued his stream of orders Angela shoved past him and glared, "I hope you're happy. Whatever happens now is on your hands."

Chapter Text

Run. Escape. Hide.

Lena's mind was mashed up and jumbled in a giant mess, every thought running into another until nothing made sense except two things.

They wanted to send her back into that neverending void between time.

And she had to get away.

Sliding around another corner Lena heard the heavy stomp of battle ready boots spurring her onward even as she lost her breath between sobs she didn't know had started.

She would not let this happen. They would not have her. No one would.

Chapter Text

The sound of stomping boots had been going on for sometime now, if it wasn't for the fact she didn't care she might have paid closer attention to what they were searching for. Widowmaker sat on her cot, legs half tucked under her as she thumbed through the self help book Doctor Ziegler had left behind for her.

Amusement filled her more than anything, this book could no more teach a fly to tap dance than unscrew whatever it was going on in her mind. Rolling her eyes as she reached the chapter on identifying your feelings and letting them out Widow huffed and tossed the book back onto the center of the table for Amari to rifle through later to see if she made shanks out of the index or what have you.

She had just settled back into mentally drawing Jack's head on a donkey's body when she heard the soft click of her cell door. Opening her eyes she looked over to the door opening and lifted a brow seeing the Blonde Doctor in the doorway, no guards in sight.

"Amélie. I need your help..." Dr. Ziegler gushed out breathless, "Lena needs your help."

Jerking up straight Widowmaker sat still with narrowed eyes, "What do you mean my help?"

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With everyone so distracted trying to find Lena, Widowmaker found it easy enough to don a stolen cloak and disguise herself as she slunk through the compound; ducking into rooms whenever boots stomped by, gleaning info from their ridiculously loud reports, Widow was quick to rule out places they had already searched. These imbeciles would never find Lena. Rolling her eyes she quickly made her way away from the mobbed group of guards and grinned when she found what she was looking for.

Making sure no one was looking Widowmaker slid the confiscated key card through the door lock and slipped inside. She couldn't hear anyone inside and with that she started climbing.
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Climbing the last flight of stairs Widow gently pushed the final door open, taking an appreciative breath as fresh evening air wafted over her. Stepping out into the fading sunlight she briefly scanned the whole of the roof just to be safe. Sure as the setting sun, Lena sat on one of the corners; one foot dangling off the side into open air and the other flat on the ledge, knee pulled to the pilot's chest to rest her head upon it as the girl gazed out towards the setting sun.

Relieved to be right Widowmaker pulled off her hood and started walking. Lena didn't move an inch as Widow approached, once she was within a few paces Widow stopped unsure how well Lena would react seeing as how their last moments together were not pleasant to remember. Deciding it was now or never she sat down on the other side of the ledge corner coolly looking past Lena and out over the horizon as well waiting for the other to speak.

Never one to disappoint, Lena picked herself up from where she had been draped over one leg, and whispered almost to herself. "Have... have you ever been faced with a choice. The choice that could very well mean everything you know will be torn away no matter which one you choose; and neither one offers any simple solutions?"

Not bothering to wait for an answer Lena fully turned towards Widowmaker, coming face to face for the first time since the incident. Widow's heart trembled and inside Amélie wept silently as she took in the harsh new aching, perturbed depth to Lena's eyes.

Blinking Widow spoke slowly with a nod. "Yes Chérie, I chose you."

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Lena sat there staring into Widowmaker's eyes a moment before turning away and looking back out over the fading hues of red and orange. The silence stretched onwards but Widow could tell Lena was grappling with what she wanted to say so she waited, letting the girl move at her pace. What she got wasn't what she had expected though.

A nervous laugh left Lena as she felt her eyes filling with tears. "Thanks Luv, I needed that. Yah know, in the moment that's going to end it all everything stands out so crystal clear."

"I never understood; how someone could do it. But faced with seemingly no other options I think I get it now. There's just the little problem of making sure it didn't accidentally turn into their option for me." Lena was rambling at this point, to what end Widow wasn't sure but she sat on alert just in case.

"Oh, some poor sap may be missing this." Lena pulled a small compact pistol from her belt offering it to Widow. "I kinda took a few things of his. Needed the reassurance I guess, just in case..."

Widow delicately took the handgun, hardly glancing at it more than a moment before easily dismantling and unloading it, placing each piece in a neat line on the ledge.

"It's so peaceful up here, I wanted to get away from them all if I could. Have I ever told you what it's like? When this thing breaks?" tapping her chest lightly Lena continued. "Horrible tale really. You think you're one place and you're really not. But sometimes... there's nothing. No up, no down, no anything. One can go mad there. Perhaps I have. I can't go back. I'd rather..."

Exasperated laughs broke out between her growing sobs as she struggled to keep her train of thought. "I figured this would be the easiest way. The other's would be safe and I wouldn't have to go back into that empty shell of nothingness. I... wanted to see the sky one last time. I've always felt more like myself whenever I'm surrounded by open sky."

Widow moved over until she was sitting beside Lena, following the girl's eyes up into the night sky as the stars began to poke through. Lena closed the gap resting her head on Widow's shoulder a shiver running through her as the wind picked up.

"I guess that's how you found me, eh Luv?"

"Yes. You've always found the highest point to try and clear your head." Widow refused to let those old memories in, instead she distracted herself unclasping the cloak and wrapping it snuggly around Lena. "You have a lot of people worried."

"With good reason it would seem... Amé? Can we stay here, just a bit longer?"

Scooping Lena up Widow shifted and sat down on the rooftop with her back against the cool concrete ledge, bundling Lena up on her lap. "Of course Chérie, as long as you need."

A comfortable silence blanketed them as Lena ducked her head into the crook of Widow's neck. One of Widow's arms circled her waist and the other came up stroking spiked hair, soothing Lena closer towards sleep. Struggling to stay awake she wiggled and looked up at Widowmaker.

"Amélie. Can you promise me something?"

"Mmmm?"

"I-if there's ever a point where I'm going to be cut loose back into that infinite abyss. Promise me you'll end it."

"Lena..." Widow's voice cracked.

"Please. I can't go back there, I'll completely lose myself and I don't want to know what will come back instead."

Swallowing hard Widow ducked her head down burying her face in Lena's hair, gently placing a kiss there. "As you wish Chérie. "

Chapter Text

Widow cradled Lena gently, making sure to keep the cloak between the too of them. The temperature was already rather low, no sense in adding Widow's natural
chill to the mix. With everything going on, Lena's escape and subsequent breakdown, it was no surprise when she conked out in minutes cuddling as close as she could. Closing her own eyes she rested her head atop Lena's as she struggled to figure out what to do.

She didn't want to, but with Lena's unstable condition it made sense to bring her back. Angela... she's sure that Ziegler wouldn't dare try anything, not after setting the Spider loose amongst the insects. It was a good bet she would be on Lena's side. Lena claimed the ape was her very best friend. That left the Amari girl though, Widow wasn't sure which way she'd lean.

Rifling through a pocket on the inner side of the cloak she pulled out the mini com unit, an unassuming chunk of metal and plastic until she flipped the switch and it buzzed to life. All at once voices barked out over the com, a bunch of negative reports locating the loose agent and subsequent yelling on the escaped Talon operative. Chuckling slightly Widow mused that Ziegler had played her part of the messenger well. Thumbing the com button several times sending bursts of static and wind through the chat until everyone fell silent trying to figure out what was happening.

Once no one was talking she pressed and held the button, speaking in a bored level tone. "Now that I have your attention... I would like to start with the fact Tracer is safe. If you would be so kind as to have Doctor Ziegler, The ape, and Ms. Amari to meet at the Sat Nav lab's third floor stairwell it would be appreciated."

She was pretty sure someone had started yelling but she flipped the com off and stashed it back away. Scooping Lena up, she stood and nonchalantly made her way down the stairs.

Chapter Text

She could feel the tension through the door even as she approached it. Amused Widow gently shouldered the stairwell doors open, making sure to not jostle Lena's unconscious form. As expected, once she was fully out the door she could see a dozen armed guards filling every alternate escape route. Rolling her eyes at their theatrics, Widow looked down the hall and could see the ape alongside the doctor and Ms. Amari.

The fear and tension was palpable as Widow walked down the hall, Lena carefully cradled in her arms. Ignoring the Bean Counters as she put it, Widow stopped a few feet from the trio narrowing her eyes.

"You may want to send someone to the roof, a cadet will be wanting to retrieve his firearm." her voice was even, but the steel behind set the soilders on edge. "Do you know what she was going to do because of you?"

Angela jumped at the sudden venom in Widow's voice and she glanced over her shoulder where Widow was looking and found Jack behind them, the object of the assassin's ire.

"She was going to make sure you could never leave her stranded again." even without raising her voice, Widow's acidic hiss was worse than any yelling. "Do you wish for me to level this base? Because if I had found her body instead I would have."

Taking a deep breath Widow tried to contain herself and she looked back to the great Ape. "If anything happens to her, you will regret ever leaving the moon."

Winston swallowed, "I-I would never."

Nodding she held Lena out slightly offering her, and by extension the only thing keeping her protected from aggressive actions, to him. After a quick glance to Angela he swung forward and cupped his arms below Lena's limp body. Internally Widowmaker did not want to let her go, but she forced her arms to lower Lena into the primate's arms. Lena was easily engulfed in those large limbs. A whimper left the girl's throat tugging at Widow's heart strings, Lena's hands gripping unconsciously tighter to Widow's shirt. Careful not to wake her, Widow extracted herself from Lena's death grip and stepped back.

Shifting her to one arm Winston couldn't help himself as he made eye contact with Widow and spoke softly. "Thank you. For finding her."

She couldn't tell if it was her mind playing tricks on her, but somewhere deep in her mind it translated "finding" to "saving". A quick glance into his eyes made her mind up all the more to what he meant. Widow didn't react, hardly pulling her eyes from the top of Lena's head poking out over her forearm as Winston made his way back down the hall and far from the no doubt soon to be warzone. Once out of sight, Widow simply lifted her arms above her waist and presented her empty hands.

Jack strode up, taking Winston's place in the lineup next to Angela and Fareeha letting out a growl. "Men, arms up."

With the order every soldier lifted their weapons and focused them on the blue woman in their midst. Angela let out an angry shout, yelling at Jack but Widow heard nothing she said. Instead she kept those eyes locked on that red tinted visor, daring him to try it. Fareeha was next to react striding in front of him and grabbing the old man by his blue jacket shouting obscenities as well.

Just as it looked close to coming to blows a voice called out behind them, sounding even more tired than Widow felt. "Well, well, well. What do we have here al'atfal?

Chapter Text

Widow watched the peculiar reactions across the various people; Fareeha had gone stiff, steadfastly refusing to look behind Jack, Angela looked like she had seen a ghost, and the soilders all looked to one another whispering, wondering what the hell was going on. As for herself she wore the smallest amused smile, of course that woman would show up here.

Tutting the older woman pushed her rifle fully up on her shoulder and out of her way to address Fareeha. "Come now hubibi, let the... Commander go. Honestly I thought you would know better."

A tremor ran through the Eygyptian woman's arms as Fareeha spoke through gritted teeth. "This doesn't concern you mother."

Tutting softly Ana pulled down the cowl of her cloak, "Ah, but it does my child. Particularly, I would like to know what unlikely circumstances led to a visit from our dearest Widowmaker. Why don't you take Widowmaker back to her cell, I will deal with this mess."

Letting out a frustrated growl Fareeha dropped her hands, glaring at Jack letting him know this wasn't over. Stiff backed, Fareeha turned on her heel and made her way back to Widowmaker. Once Fareeha had a hand on Widow's shoulder she started to move, following the other's direction of returning from where she came.

Angela took this moment to speak up, "A-hem, well yes. Ana it's wonderful to see you. There's been some... developments as you can clearly see. Um..."

"Good to see you too Ziegler, I want to see you after I'm done with Jack here." Ana had a knowing smirk, leaving Angela to sputter a response before turning to Jack.

"And just what do you think you're doing giving orders? Last I heard you were dead and out of the fighting buisness." Jack gruffly asked, smoothing out his coat.

"We'll discuss that in the office." Ana replied coolly, dismissing his outright request.

"And I'm supposed to listen because? I have a prisoner to interrogate that escaped not too long ago."

"Oh? Shall I finish what Fareeha started then? As far as I'm aware you have no power over me. And it would be in your best interest if you listen. Besides, if Widowmaker had wanted to get away, she would have."

Not even waiting for a response Ana turned on her heel and made her way down the hallway. Jack stood there fuming, glaring after Ana's back until she disappeared around the bend. Some of the men began to whisper to one another and Jack barked out for them to get back to work before stalking off after Ana.

Chapter Text

Furious with Ana's display in front of his men Jack stomped down the hall back to his office. There was Ana, sitting in his chair with her feet up on the desk just trying to push his buttons. She cheerily waved a hand, motioning for Jack to take a seat in the office standard lackey chair. Refusing, he moved the chair out of the way and leaned over the desk, putting his hands on the top for stability.

"I reiterate. What. Are. You. Doing. Here? Isn't there some rebel gang scruffs you have to intimidate?" Jack grumbled, his glare significantly reduced from what it used to be thanks to that damned visor, not that it ever affected Ana.

"What am I doing here? What are any of us doing here Morrison? Same as you, Overwatch." Ana leaned back, producing a flask from inside her coat, and taking a swig. Noting Jack's look she laughed, "It's tea, tightwad. There's not a lot of places to stop for a nice drink before getting to Base."

"Overwatch is over."

"And yet, here we are." Giving a coarse laugh Ana reached up and stroked her eye patch thoughtfully. "Speaking of being here. Care to tell me how you of all people came into possession of Widowmaker?"

"She is my prisoner. How doesn't matter." Jack was gruff, his weary body eventually winning over his pride and he sat in the plain metal backed chair.

"Ah, I see. Given recent events, it seems she's given herself up to protect Lena." Smiling wistfully Ana continued, "That girl has always been a weakness of hers."

Shaking her head she stood, "Regardless, I'm more interested in addressing you Jack."

"Me?!"

"Yes you. From the little I've seen you've gotten out of control Jack."

Puffing up Jack stood his voice getting louder, "Out of control?! Have you and Angela lost your minds? How is trying to keep everyone safe being out of control?!"

"Oh? Threatening Winston? Ignoring Angela? Attempting to kill Lena? That Jack, is out of control. And with that, I am relieving you of command. You can remain on premises but Athena will be revoking most of your access."

"You have no right!!" Jack roared.

"SIT. DOWN!" Ana barked out slamming her hands on the desk, glaring out her remaining eye. "Don't have the right? You forget Morrison, I was your second. But, that is the past. Niether of us will be making any calls. Winston will."

Flinching back under Ana's perfected mom/death glare Jack sputtered incredulous. "Th-the Ape?!"

"Our friend." Hissing dangerously Ana continued to glare until he was seated once more. "Winston initiated the recall. Winston gathered everyone. Winston! Is who secured funding and the very building we stand in! You will sit down, shut up, and be a good little Soldier. You are dismissed, am I clear?"

Jack puffed up several times, starting and mumbling trying to form any sort of defence but came up empty handed. Snarling to himself, he stood and stormed out.

Once alone Ana sunk back into her chair rubbing one of her wrists. "Huff, I'm not as young as I used to be... Athena? Be a dear and page Winston for me? I just want to ask him how Lena is. And send Angela in as well."

"Of course General Amari." Athena's voice purred to life out of the small circular device in the corner of the desk.

"Just Ana dear. All that is behind me now."

"As you wish."

Chapter Text

Widowmaker remained silent, the woman behind her was fuming so hard Widow could swear she felt a wave of heat emanating from her. They were nearly to her cell when loud footsteps came running towards them. Fareeha whipped around, her hand flying to the firearm holstered on her hip only to freeze when it was just Angela. Widowmaker refused to look behind her, content enough with Fareeha's response to know there wasn't a threat. Instead she simply stopped and waited for whatever this distraction was to pass so she could go be alone with her thoughts.

"Dr. Ziegler, what's the matter? Is everything okay?" Fareeha's voice was rough, betraying the turmoil within at today's latest disaster.

"What? No Fareeha, everything's fine. Jack is talking with your mothe... Ana now. I wanted to see how you were holding up." Angela caught herself, but the damage was done she saw the angry twist to Fareeha's mouth and she gave an apologetic grimace.

Ana was a very touchy subject for Fareeha, the two of them had reached a fragile peace on it not too long ago and they were loathe to break it. Reaching out Angela placed a hand on Fareeha's arm in a comforting gesture.

"I'm fine." Fareeha was gruff and formal, shrugging she remembered what she had been in the middle of doing and quickly turned back around relieved to find Widow leaning against the wall bored.

"Right well, let's keep going Améli... Widow? Ms. Maker? For the love of..." Growling to herself as she stumbled through her words in frustration, Angela's habit of calling the blue-skinned woman Amélie was starting to take a toll it seems. "What am I supposed to call you?"

Widowmaker flinched as Fareeha butchered her words in some semblance of a name, "Widowmaker will do... shall we or should I just continue on my own?"

"Not a chance." Fareeha grumbled and started back down the hallway, not surprised in the least when Angela tagged along.

They travelled in relative silence, reaching her cell in good time, and Widow hardly glanced back as she waltzed in and laid out on the bed. A quick scan assured Fareeha the cell was still in one piece and she locked the door behind her. No longer occupied with transporting Widowmaker she had little choice but to turn and face Angela, who in true doctor fashion, was continuing to watch and study her behavior. Still torn up inside Fareeha simply pulled the doctor into her arms and sighed burying her face in that long blonde hair.

Quick to respond Angela encircled her arms around Fareeha's waist and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Fareeha I..."

A distinctive chime interrupted her followed quickly by Athena's melodious voice, "Dr. Ziegler Ana Amari would like to see you in Office Suite 1."

Fareeha went stiff as a board and grumbled some sort of curse Angela couldn't make out, waving her girlfriend off making the excuse that she needed to investigate the roof as Widow had suggested. Angela murmured another unnecessary apology and made her way in the opposite direction down the hall.

Chapter Text

"Come in!" Ana's voice rang out in response to the knocking, her face blurred by the holo screen in front of her it took a moment to recognize the young woman that entered. "Ah, Ziegler wonderful. Forgive me, I'm just catching up on the going ons here. Seems I missed quite a bit."

"It's no trouble at all Amari, if you like I can come back at a better time." Angela smiled despite herself, she couldn't help the small rush of dejá vue at seeing Ana back behind an Overwatch desk.

"Bah, and let you have time to come up with a cover story? I think not." Ana flashed an amused toothy smile gesturing to the chair in front of her. "I've gone over her files, but I would love a first hand account as to what you've discovered about her, all the way up to our little prison break today."

"Of course, Lena had gone missing sometime in late October and no one had seen her since then..." Angela gave an in depth narrative from the beginning until Ana's own surprise arrival today. "Lena had run off and despite everyone searching she can be rather elusive if she wants to be so we turned to... more drastic measures."

"We? I assume you mean yourself, and measures being dear Amélie getting loose to find the girl?" switching the holo around Ana had already cued up the security feed from earlier, showing Angela entering the cell and Widow leaving alone.

Angela sputtered before clearing her throat sitting up straight, "Um well, yes. I figured it was our best shot at finding Lena, and better yet give her something familiar but nonthreatening to talk her back to us."

Barking out a laugh Ana shook her head grinning, "Let the spider loose to find the errant fly eh? No offense to Lena of course. The poor girl. I completely understand, probably the best course of action given the circumstances."

Still chuckling Ana leaned back and sighed, "Ah, I did not think it would feel so strange to be back. So much has changed, with Overwatch and the world at large. I see you managed to hold things together here Angela, and don't worry about Jack he is taking a temporary leave of absence for now."

"It hasn't been easy Ana. Dealing with Jack was the simplest part until now. It's good to have you back." Angela visibly relaxed, a small smile forming.

Ana sat up grinning, placing her elbows on the desk top and placing her head atop her interlaced fingers her gaze turning hard. "Speaking of changes, care to tell me what your intentions are with my daughter Doctor?"

Chapter Text

Lena scrunched up her face and shifted, the metal chassis she was laying on was biting harshly into her ribcage. Struggling to find a good position it got her wondering why she had slept in her harness. Things slowly came back to her and she sat up quickly, groping blindly she flailed a little too hard and ended up on the floor.

"Ow..." wincing Lena rubbed her shoulder where it had met the floor, glancing around she recognized the furniture and walls of her stabilizing chamber. "And yet, I still have my accelerator on..."

If they were so intent on making sure she did as she was told why leave the accelerator? Swallowing back the icy fear balling up in her gut she stood stretching and made a quick check that everything was where it was supposed to be. Satisfied she crawled back into bed and pondered what to do next.

"H-hey Athena?" Lena called out hesitant.

"Yes Lena?"

"Is the big guy around? Also, what time is it?"

"It is 6:45am. It seems Winston is in a tele-meeting with Ana Amari. Would you like me to page him?"

"No no, it's okay he's prolly busy with... wait, ANA AMARI?!?! What do you mean Ana?! When did... How did..." Lena was spluttering wracking her brain for any sort of explanation.

"General Ana Amari. Second in command Overwatch strike devision. Aged: 60 presumed KIA until recently. Base of Operation in..." Athena started to drone on before Lena cut in again.

"Roight yes, I get it Athena. I know who Ana is but what is she doing here, when did she get here?"

Pausing her previous statements Athena moved on to answer the newest inquiries. "Ms. Amari has taken command of Overwatch's forces in response to Commander Morrison's abrupt step down. She arrived late last night at 9:22pm during the subsequent Lockdown and search."

"Wait, Jack stepped down? That doesn't sound like him." Lena muttered to herself forgetting a moment she was talking to Athena.

"Yes, Ms. Amari was quite insistent that he step away and had his access revoked for the time being. Winston and Ana are looking for a way forward." Athena paused a moment before turning the table on Lena. "Lena, there is an Emily here to see you. Shall I let her in?"

"I um..." Lena swallowed hard biting onto her bottom lip.

How was she going to be able to explain what had happened to Emily?

Chapter Text

"So, big man in charge now huh?" Lena laughed, gently elbowing the giant gorilla in the ribs as she teased. "Does that mean you won't have time for little Ol me anymore hotshot?"

Flustered Winston adjusted his glasses and huffed. "Of course not, I'd never leave you behind. Such silly nonsense. I'm just stuck with a lot more meetings and paperwork."

Genuinely smiling for the first time since last week Lena gave another hearty laugh knowing her friend's disdain for pointless meetings and the like. "So is it Commander Winston now, or did they give you an even higher title?"

"Just Commander. Though since we've been friends long enough I guess I can grandfather you in and allow just Winston to be acceptable." Winston guffawed, an amused twinkle in his eye.

Grinning like a fool Lena sat back, how she had missed moments like these. Winston had managed to sneak away from his newfound responsibilities and was absolutely demolishing her in a game of chess while they snacked on junk food Emily had managed to slip in while Angela wasn't looking.

Emily smiled, relieved to see Lena finally relaxing even if it was just for a couple hours. She hated to admit it but Lena had put up those walls again; trying to keep her from seeing how torn up inside she was. Ever since the night Widowmaker had brought Lena back down Lena had started holding back again, as if knowing the other woman was so close by she had to go back to her precarious wire act trying to balance feigned nonchalance and how she thought Emily wanted her to behave. Everytime she broached the subject Lena brushed it off.

I'm fine Em. Nothing to worry about Em. I'm totally not being eaten alive by everything that's happened inside Em.

Letting out a soft snort as Lena lost for the third time in a row Emily struggled to push these thoughts from her head. Now's not the time, she'll open up on her own. As if hearing her thoughts Lena turned from where she was sitting and caught Emily's eye, giving her that dazzling, carefree smile. Stunned Emily found herself smiling back just as broadly, her troubled thoughts completely forgotten.

Chapter Text

"Well Amélie, this is looking good. You see here you started at..." Widowmaker tuned out as Doctor Ziegler started to prattle on about neurological reactions and blah blah blah.

Keeping her eyes on the Doctor's to make it seem like she was paying attention her mind wandered instead to something, anything other than therapy time. It's not that she hated it, but... yeah no, she hated it. With a passion. Always having to dissect every little nuance of thought behind each and every thought, action, or emotion was enough to make her sick. She felt that almost kickback type response, a clawing gnawing tightness in her gut as inside Widowmaker howled begging for an end to this agony.

"Just let me out, for one minute that's all!" Widowmaker snarled, near abouts foaming at the mouth.

"Be quiet. Unlike some of us, I'm trying to pay attention." Amélie's inner monologue was pinched and tight, even she was rather pained at everything being dredged up.

Widow hadn't wanted to talk about what had happened, all of Lena's ridiculous attempts to reach out to her and especially not... the most recent events. So instead they had turned to Gerard and her past and all at once her stomach knotted up again. Suppressing the urge to shake her head, and tip of Angela that she was experiencing that gross thing called "feelings" she forced her thoughts away, back into that cold numbness she found helped her work through tough subjects.

"Or was it to avoid them?" Amélie chirped quietly, shattering Widow's calm.

"Shut up." Widow snapped through clenched teeth.

"And that's why... Sorry Amélie, did you say something?" Angela trailed off confused at the sudden venom.

Widow flinched, realizing she had said it out loud muttering. "Nothing. It's nothing."

"Amélie... I can't help if you don't let me in."

Widow flinched again, Angela's words overlapping perfectly with a different voice. A voice that had said that dozens of times, most in vain.

"It's nothing!" Trying to cover that moment of weakness, Widow snapped again but with less venom than usual. "It's just a headache."

Angela started to reach out and place a hand on Amélie's arm but stopped when the other woman moved back slightly.

Giving a soft encouraging smile she spoke quietly. "Okay. Do you need anything? We can pick up again some time tomorrow if you like?"

"No. It's fine. Sure..." thoughts whirling she watched Angela pack up and head towards the door, there was so much chaotic fighting inside she wasn't sure who spoke next. "Wait... would it be possible to... see Lena?"

Chapter Text

Lena leaned back in the chair she sat in, her feet up on the table edge to help the chair balance on two legs, her eyes closed as she started to get lost in thought. Winston was off in another meeting and Emily had gotten permission the day before to head out to Lena's apartment and grab a few things for her, with a couple guards of course. Talon would not take losing two high profile operatives lightly, better to be safe than sorry. It would feel amazing to get out of these standard issue jumpsuits and into some of her actual clothes. She had asked for a couple specific time killers but depending on how much of a disaster her apartment is Emily may or may not find them.

"I really ought to start that diary thing Angie gave me, but then again..." Lena's thoughts trailed back to those unwanted flashes of memory from the last couple months.

Shuddering Lena's eyes opened hearing the sound of her door sliding open. Odd, she wasn't expecting anyone. Cocking her head to the side curious as multiple different footsteps rang out as they marched in. Finally turning her head Lena looked over at her new visitors. There were three total that had entered, even at the threat of her life Lena wouldn't have been able to tell you who the two behind were in the moment all she could do is stare at the purple woman in front.

Giving a startled yelp Lena lost balance and toppled backwards landing flat on the floor. She winced as her head ever so not gently met the floor but regardless she leapt up as quick as she could, succeeding in tangling herself up in the chair legs and toppling over again, before finally getting upright.

Scrambling across the floor she flung herself towards Widowmaker with a near puppyish yip and exclamation, "Amélie!"

Having seen how quick the girl was moving Widow shifted her feet and bent her knees slightly. Once Lena had collided with her Widow rocked back onto her heels to keep balance and then went stiff at Angela's stifled giggle behind her. Lena was half wrapped around Widow, she hadn't gotten enough momentum to get enough lift in her jump to be off the floor thankfully but she had already made enough of a display that Widow was starting to regret this.

"Lena you damned nuisance." Widow hissed quietly, it was already too late she could hear the Amari girl stifling a laugh as well.

"Amélie! It's so good to see you! For a while there I thought I hallucinated the whole thing about you being here!" Lena chattered on, totally oblivious to how she looked with this egregious display of affection.

Grumbling Amélie fished her arms out from where Lena had them sandwiched between them. Bound at the wrist made it a little harder but still, she looped them over Lena's head and grabbed a fistful of chestnut locks.

Twisting she growled, "Hands off Oxton."

"Ow ow, oye ow alright!" Lena's arms pulled back, lifting her hands in surrender, "Jeez, I just wanted to say hi!"

"Indeed." Widow rolled her eyes smirking, letting go of Lena's hair she let her forearms rest on the smaller girl's shoulders. "Is that why you nearly lost a fight with a chair petit imbécile?"

Lena sputtered before sticking her tongue out. "Hush you."

"I told you the cuffs weren't necessary Fareeha." Angela cut in struggling not to laugh again.

"It makes everyone else feel better. Besides, that was hilarious. Doubt she'd have let it get that far if her hands were free." Fareeha didn't bother to hide her laugh at Widow's expense.

"Not at all." Widow grumbled, leveling Lena with a glare who simply gave her innocent puppy eyes.

Chapter Text

"Well erm, I think we can leave you to it. Obviously the cameras will stay on and Athena will be monitoring and will alert us if something happens so um..." Angela wasn't entirely sure how to stop, words still spilling from her mouth as they released Amélie from her cuffs.

Fareeha chuckled one last time placing a hand on the small of Angela's back, "Exactly, so Lena" her voice stern, "Make sure you torture the hell out of her. I'll make millions selling the tapes."

"Fareeha!" Angela startled, lightly slapping the other on the arm in reproach earning another loud laugh.

Lena gave a wolfish grin and snapped into a mock salute, "Of course! Right'o!"

She watched as Fareeha and Angela left, turning with a smirk to Widow only to be met with a hard flick to the forehead.

"Oye! What was that for?!" Lena yipped, scrubbing a hand over her forehead.

"A damned nuisance!" Widow hissed again, giving a smirk right back at the Brit.

"Hey, in my defense I thought my messed up head hallucinated your entire existence here." Lena huffed, sticking her tongue out again.

Quick as a flash Widow reached out and pinned Lena's tongue between her thumb and index finger "Put that away or I'll find a better use for it."

"Okash, yeesh. Tack a jocke." her speech muffled, Lena couldn't help the tinge of red growing on her cheeks.

Amélie smirked again releasing the Brit and taking a quick stock of the room. Definitely cleaner than that rats nest she called an apartment. Crossing back over to the table she righted the toppled chair and took a seat. Lena was still standing there, lightly red faced and rubbing the back of her head. Making her way over Lena sat across from Widowmaker not entirely sure what to say.

"I know I said to put that up but I didn't think it would keep you from chattering my ear off. I'll have to remember that." Amused Widow couldn't help but tease the girl even more.

God how long has it been since she last saw Lena? The real Lena? Months? Shaking her head to clear it she turned her mind back to the present. She looked good, the color was back in her cheeks she had that spark back in her eyes that told Widow she was looking at the real Lena. Or at least, the one she knew.

"Quiet you. It's just... nice to see a familiar face is all." Lena quickly skirted around what she was going to say, something she knew Widow would pick up on.

"Quite."

Both fell silent, Lena toying with the random chess piece that she had forgotten to put up. Widow wouldn't have expected what came next; the heart she had hoped was long dead ached, beating faster as Lena's usually chipper voice broke with apprehension and fear.

"A-amélie? What did I do?"

Chapter Text

Widow flinched, immediately regretting it when Lena paled looking like she'd be sick. Closing those molten brown eyes Lena's head dropped and she swallowed hard.

"I... I don't want to remember but I know I do."

"Lena..." Widow's voice was strained, she didn't want to tell her but would a pretty lie really be better?

"I know I did bad things. Really bad... I shouldn't have..." Lena was cut off abruptly.

"You. Didn't. Do. Anything." Widow hissed out through clenched teeth, hands balling into fists before forcing herself to relax and not set off that damned A.I. "That was not you Oxton."

Lena's voice came out small, nothing more than a hushed defeated whisper. "Was it not? I'm not so sure... She's still in there Amé, just waiting. I don't know what Moira did but..."

Jaw clenching Widow took a deep breath then another, reaching out she placed a hand over Lena's. "What was it you always tried to tell me? The real you is still buried deep in there, and no matter what they did you're you? You know I won't stand for this pitying nonsense."

"It's not nonsense!" Lena snapped, eyes flashing she half jumped up, knocking Widow's hand from her's before realizing what she was doing. Shaking she shook her head shrinking back into her seat muttering. "I don't know how to explain it but, she's real I can feel it. And that's what makes me uneasy."

Widow furiously explained away the flash as a trick of the light, taking another breath she tried to focus. "So what if she's real then? She's not you. You are not responsible for her or Moira's actions."

"I threw us off a building." Lena muttered bluntly.

"And? That was not the first time."

"I actually planned to kill you." Lena scowled.

"But you didn't. Not that you had a chance." Widow deflected easily.

Jumping up again Lena snarled, "I tried to shoot Emily!"

"And I shot you before that happened."

The deadpanned delivery stopped Lena in her tracks; there was a beat of silence before she broke into choked laughter.

"Y-you you... Bahaha. That's not reassuring Luv. Should I say thanks?" Lena struggled to breathe between bouts of laughter.

Rolling her eyes Widow hid a pleased smile. "It is not necessary but if it makes you feel better I would welcome it."

Wiping away tears Lena sat down, nearly limp in her seat relaxing a moment. "Well then, thank you for shooting me. Whatever would I do without you?"

Pain flashed across Widow's face and her lips turned downwards, "You would be safe and whole petite chein. But the past cannot be undone."

Swallowing Lena nodded, "I can't tell Em any of this. I... I don't want her to worry."

"Keeping it from her won't stop the worrying."

"I know, I know. It's just... I did all that... There's nothing concrete, at least not that my head let's me remember. But, that man I... I killed him didn't I? There was something else, I wanted to do something much worse. I can feel it."

Carefully wording her reply she tried to keep her voice even. "Yes... that was our objective. I did not stop you in time. But, that was Slipstream."

Nodding Lena chewed and worried her bottom lip, "Roight sure..."

"We don't have to do this now Lena. It can wait."

"No no. I need to know." swallowing hard she pulled her legs up onto the chair and wrapped her arms around them. "How many people?"

"Just the one. I tried to dispatch them myself whenever it was called for. But Moira... she had you as well. There were times even I didn't know what she had you doing." Widow cast her eyes on the table, ashamed to admit she couldn't keep a better eye on her.

"Y-yeah, I remember it going something like that..."

"Do you think... Am I going to be okay?"

Lena's voice was so broken, so... so distraught, that Widow wished she could say for sure.

"Whatever happens, you don't have to face it alone."

Mulling it over Lena didn't notice when Widow's chair moved, being put next to her own with Widow sitting back down. Placing a cold hand on Lena's shoulder she gave it a quick squeeze.

"I don't know what's going to happen. No one does."

Chapter Text

Shifting Lena squirmed before giving in. Squeezing her eyes shut she turned and buried her face into Widow's neck; they stayed still, not talking just enjoying one another's presence. Widow knew that Zeigler was no doubt watching the video feed, if not now she would later, analyzing how they interacted. The thought made Widow want to squirm as well but she quashed it, preferring to put her efforts into comforting Lena.

"How long you reckon we got?" Lena's voice was quiet, a sleepy edge to it as she nuzzled her face further into the crook of Widow's neck.

"And how would I know that cherie?" Widow teased, her nails scratching gently along Lena's scalp. "Probably as long as you're behaving yourself."

"Nnnghmmph." a contented groan left Lena's throat. "I always behave."

"Liar." Smirking Widow gave Lena's hair a tug, her voice a hushed whisper Lena could barely make it out. "You know what lying pups get right? What was it before, 4 or was it 5? Do you really want me to bend you over my knee here and now?"

Eyes flying open Lena let out a startled yelp leaping up out of her chair, the steady rise of red tinting her cheeks the color of ripe tomatoes. Widow laughed out loud for once, her smirk solidly in place as Lena gave her a pouting look of betrayal.

"No fair! I'm supposed to be the one torturing you!" Lena huffed grumbling.

"You've never had any luck with that before Cherie, what made you think today would be any different?"

Puttering over to her bed Lena flopped down, patting the space next to her with big puppy eyes. Snorting Widow took her time, but instead of lying down she sat beside her lifting a brow.

"You always bring girls back to your bed within 10 minutes of meeting up? How quaint."

Lena knew she was just trying to get under her skin but she was succeeding, her face going hot again.

"No, just you. You always did prefer sneaking in and making sure I couldn't get out of bed in the morning. Figured I'd save you the step of dragging me to it." Her face was red but she couldn't keep her tongue still, sniping back at Amé.

Lena stared in shock and awe as Widow's cheeks darkened noticeably, was that a blush?!? She saw Widow start to move and had enough time to let out an undignified squeak before Widow was on top of her.

"Why you little...!!!" Widow hissed playfully, straddling Lena's waist she pinned those arms above the brunette's head. "I have half a mind to..."

The subtle hissing noise of the sliding door opening heralded the arrival of Zeigler or Amari no doubt to see about pulling Widow off of Lena. Which gave then both the shock of a lifetime when a startled voice called out.

"Lena!" Emily's voice was marred with sleep deprivation and concern.

Chapter Text

"Lena?!" Emily yelped, the weariness of the flight wearing off as the scene unfolded before her. "Are you okay? I don't…"

Angela and Fareeha came skidding to a halt right behind Emily, both looked prepared to break up a fight. Angela brought her gaze to the bed and her cheeks flushed pink clearing her throat.

"Ah, ahem… Athena said…" sputtering she turned to Fareeha for assistance.

"That you were fighting. Angela, why was the door unlocked? No offense Emily, but you shouldn't have been able to waltz in."

"We have to show some level of trust!" Angela brought her clipboard up to cover her face and not see Lena and Widow.

"With an Ex-Talon operative in the room!?"

Lena made a noise like a startled opossum and immediately started to struggle under Widow who seemed completely frozen. Shocked at the sudden movement they both tumbled off the bed, Lena landing on top tangling their legs together as she fought to stand. 

"It's not what it looks like!" Lena stood there blinking dumbly, noticing raised eyebrows she got from Emily and Fareeha. "Okay, yes, that sentence was dumb. We weren't… She wasn't… Amé help me out here!"

Widow stayed where she was flat on her back on the ground, staring at the ceiling her cheeks still flushed darker in what Lena was now 100% positive was a blush. 

"Amari. Please take me back to my cell where I can die in peace." Widow was robotic, inexplicably drowning in embarrassment, something she hoped to never feel again.

"Not a chance." Fareeha was cracking up, between Lena's red face and frazzled explanation and Widowmaker's staunch refusal to look at anyone she was having the time of her life.

"Sooooooo…" Angela fidgeted, "It seems we aren't needed perhaps we three should…"

"Okay okay, you've got five minutes Lena then I gotta take Widow back. I'm sure you can manage." Fareeha winked, laughing harder as Lena squeaked indignantly and Angela swatted her arm. 

"I'll um, come back later Lena. Try not to get into any trouble." Emily's cheeks were also tinted pink, for what reason was anyone's guess. 

Lena stood there miserably as everyone filed out leaving her alone with Widow again. Looking down the assassin was steadfastly ignoring her, very interested in the ductwork. 

"So erm… next time I'll just get the chess set out instead." Lena muttered sitting down cross-legged. 

Picking up the pillow that had fallen with them Widow threw it at Lena's head. "Next time I'm tying you to a chair with a gag for good measure. Let me die in silence."

Ducking the pillow she scooped it up and hugged it. "Well I mean, it didn't look that bad I don't think… just a simple misunder…"

Lena trailed off at the look Widow gave her. "Okay yeah, they didn't misunderstand shit. Anubis is not gonna let that go anytime soon…"

Chapter Text

"I'm telling you Fareeha, she really opened up! I've never seen that much emotion from Amélie before. This is good for them." Angela rambled on, rewinding and replaying bits and pieces of the tape taking notes.

"Uh emotions? Best I got was her almost taking Lena's pants off." Fareeha thought a moment before grinning, "Though I guess that's an emotion we haven't seen from her before."

"Fareeha!!" Angela blushed, she had no authority to delete that part of the tape but she could put it behind a restricted access wall. "They weren't even…"

"So you're saying with 100% certainty that if Emily hadn't interrupted we wouldn't be picking Lena's clothes up off the floor before taking Widow back to her cell?" Laughing, Fareeha placed a small bowl of stew in front of Angela followed by a kiss to her blonde hair. "Did you even see Widowmaker's face? She looked like she was going to be sick. Totally caught red, erm, blue handed."

"I just… quiet you I'm trying to take notes. Amélie improved drastically after that small exchange." Angela huffed scribbling on her notepad before hitting play again. 

Shaking her head amused, Fareeha went back to the stove turning it off and back towards the table with her own bowl. Sitting down across from the intent Doctor she had hardly brought the spoon to her lips when a knock on the door sounded. Sighing, Fareeha set the spoon back down and went to answer the door, leary of who would be making a stop so late in the evening.

Please be a drunk Cowboy, please be a drunk Cowboy. Her inner monologue kicked in despite knowing Jesse would likely not have returned to base this early.

Slapping her hand on the door panel, it lit up, and slowly slid open. 

Gritting her teeth Fareeha took a deep breath. "Mother."
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Ana shouldn't be surprised at all to find Fareeha staring back at her from Dr. Ziegler's quarters and yet it still took a moment to compose her thoughts. "Ah qalbi waruhi, is Ziegler in? I was hoping to hear how yesterday's little introduction went."

"Who is it Dear?" Angela's voice called, still distracted by the tape.

"If this is a bad time Ziegler I can certainly come back later. I would hate to interrupt." Ana replied nonchalantly, not breaking eye contact with Fareeha.

Angela jumped up from the table and made her way quickly to the door; placing a hand on Fareeha's arm she greeted the Commander. "Ana! What brings you here so late? Is something wrong?"

"No no, nothings wrong. I was just wondering if you had made any headway on your report, not to rush you but the potential outcome is certainly intriguing to say the least. But it seems you have company so I will just leave you to it." Ana nodded, turning to leave. 

"Oh no, please come in Ana. I'm almost done with my preliminary notes and would love to see if you have any further ideas."

Fareeha jumped a little as Angela finished her sentence, turning to stare at her in betrayal. Whhhhy?

Angela gave her a sympathetic face, ushering them both back into her quarters. Settling them both at the table Angela shuffled all her papers back into a more organized stack offering them to Ana. 

"Would you like something to eat? Fareeha and I were just about to start dinner. There's plenty to go around. Fareeha tends to make plenty of leftovers in case we can't make it to the mess hall before it closes." Angela's cheeks heated slightly at the implications Fareeha may be staying here more than her own room. 

"Oh no, I don't wish to impose." Ana picked up on Ziegler's rising awkwardness and the tension rolling off of Fareeha was almost palpable. "We can just go over the notes and I'll be out of your hair."

"It's fine. I'll go find another bowl." Fareeha stood stiffly from the table, anything to get away from this right now. 

Ana and Angela both watched Fareeha disappear into the next room in silence before Ana gestured to the tape. "It went well I presume?" 

"O-oh, yes it did! Better than I had hoped. Lena was… well Lena about it. But putting the two of them together produced some astonishing results in Amélie. You see…" Angela started to point out various parts of her notes and how Widowmaker had responded to different stimuli via Lena. 
--------------
Putting her hands on the counter Fareeha unclenched her jaw and let out the breath she didn't recall holding in. "This is fine. It's just one evening, she is in charge after all. She needs to stay up to date on the whole Lena situation…"

Her pep talk didn't do much for her and she sighed running a hand through her hair as she reached into the cabinet for another bowl. Taking her time she filled it and grabbed the half cut loaf of bread still on the cutting board. Bracing herself she walked back into the general room and set the food down by Ana. 

"Thank you hubibi, it looks delicious." Ana nodded her thanks and received a mumbled welcome in return. 

The three sat around the table, the only sounds were the clink of spoons on ceramic bowls and Ana occasionally asking for clarification from Angela.

Flipping through the final few papers Ana nodded, "Yes it seems things went rather well. I don't know about leaving them alone together permanently but I don't suppose a few supervised visits would do any harm. I'll run it by Winston and see what he thinks. I have no doubt Lena would agree before we even finish speaking."

Angela laughed, smiling. "Yes, I have to agree with you there."

"Thank you for the update Doctor, I look forward to the finished report. I really must be going. I don't want to keep you up too late." Ana stood handing Angela back her papers.

"It was a pleasure, you're welcome anytime of course." Angela stood as well, giving Ana a hug.

Returning the embrace Ana looked to Fareeha who was steadfastly looking at the empty bowl in front of her. 

"Goodnight Fareeha, the soup was wonderful. I hope you have a wonderful evening. Doctor." Ana nodded one last time to Angela before making her way towards the door. 

Placing her hand on the holo pad Ana hesitated a moment in the doorway before talking over her shoulder. "It was wonderful to see you abnataya, my door is always open if you so choose."

She did not wait for an answer before heading out and back to her quarters to begin formulating the next steps going forward. 

Chapter Text

"Uggghh, my life is over." Lena groaned burying her face in her arms on the table.

"Lena, hun it wasn't that bad…" Emily tried to be encouraging but Lena gave her a raised brow before dropping her head again. "Okay, so maaaybe Angie and Fareeha saw but it's not like anyone else is gonna know."

"Cameras." Lena's voice was muffled but she pointed a hand to the ceiling at one of the many security cams in the room.

"Okaaay you got me there…" Emily wracked her brain trying to find some sort of comfort for Lena.

A lightbulb went off and Emily started to rifle through one of the duffle bags she had brought with her. 

"Ah ha!" She exclaimed holding the plush aloft. "You can't be sad with Mr. Bunbun around!"

Lena looked up in surprise, staring at the little white plush rabbit in front of her. The little bugger was a bit worn, fur not so bright or soft anymore, but still sporting the shoddily made bomber jacket Lena had attempted to sew herself. How long had it been since she'd seen that rascally rabbit? Years no doubt. She'd boxed him up ages ago after she and Emily had broken things off. He'd been her favorite plush, she'd kept him even through her RAF training, and one Valentine's day had made him a jacket just like hers so Emily wouldn't be lonely when Lena had to be away for a long mission. 

"H-how did you find him? Even I didn’t know …" Lena trailed off, hesitantly brushing a hand over his slightly smushed head.

Emily's cheeks heated a little, "Sorry, I hope you don't mind. I was looking for those other things you listed and a box fell out of the closet. I was putting things back when I saw him stuffed inside as well."

Conflicting emotions race through her head, wondering if Emily even remembered what he was for. Of course she does stupid, but it was your rabbit first. 

"Thanks Em… that does cheer me up." Smiling Lena brushed some lint off his jacket and pulled the plush toy into her lap with a wistful sigh. "Well Mr. Bunbun, things are a lot more complicated now, but glad to have you back in action."

Chapter Text

"And so, we think it would be beneficial for both of you to get out a little. Maybe some group therapy, a walk or two? Of course for everyone's sanity you'd have an ankle monitor just in case. I believe you're trying to better yourself but everyone else is… not as ready to jump aboard that train yet." Angela explained, "I'm sure you're starting to go a little stir crazy cooped up here so long."

Group therapy? I think I'd rather die. Then again, Lena would be there and perhaps that could be enough to make things bearable...

Keeping a blank face Widowmaker studied Angela carefully for any signs of not being serious. Widow had to admit being stuck in this tiny room was starting to make her skin crawl. The fact that she would be given more chances to interact with Lena was very tempting indeed. 

"So what's the catch?" Widow asked suspiciously.

"Amélie, there is no catch. All I ask is that you try and open up. Lena, to put it simply, is afraid. She trusted you to protect her when she was at her lowest point. I think seeing you try will help her open up more. Even if it's just to you she can't keep it all bottled inside, something is bound to snap eventually."

Widow went silent, digesting what Ziegler had said, letting out a sigh she nodded. "Alright. But it's not because of that little twerp, I'm just sick of this dingy room. Honestly you'd think Overwatch could afford an interior designer instead of the same drab grey everywhere."

Surprised at the overt quip Angela's eyes widened in surprise and she let out a laugh. "I'll have a talk with Ana about next year's interior budget then."
--------------------------
Lena bounced off the bench giddy, unable to sit still. Pacing back and forth she adjusted her jacket again looking over towards the garden entrance. Angela had promised she and Amélie could spend the day in the gardens, just the two of them. The bulky, annoying ankle monitor be damned she was going to enjoy this.

"Lena, you're going to wear yourself out before she even gets here. At the very least stop pacing, I swear you're acting like it's your last chance to ask her to prom." Emily laughed, shaking her head in amusement; she was going to stay here by the entrance and let them have some alone time, but within range for her to signal for help if needed.

"Ugh, I know Em but come on. It's been forever since we got to just talk." Lena groaned, managing to stop and lean against the wall bouncing one leg.

"You two were literally talking not even three days ago. Well, talking for the most part." Emily smirked. 

Cheeks turning pink Lena grumbled. "Yeah yeah, but this time there's no pressure from the cameras or mics. We can actually… talk."

Before they could continue their conversation the doors opened and Widowmaker stepped through followed by Angela and of course, Fareeha. It was strange to see Widow walking about without any sort of restraints on, Angela must really be pushing for that 'extending some trust' thing. Lena smiled and waved enthusiastically bouncing forward a couple steps but let the other party come to her. 

"Alright, you've got pretty much free reign of this place. Just let Emily know when you're done. Or try and leave the assigned space and your bracelets will alert me and I'll come round you up myself." Fareeha grinned, joking more about Lena than Widow, she didn't know why but she just felt rather on edge about this.

"Can do Anubis! And thanks for playing Lookout Em, I owe yah one." Lena grinned giving her signature salute. 

"Yeah yeah, enjoy yourselves." Emily lifted her book from the bench and leafed through back to where she had left off.
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Strolling down the way Amélie watched in amusement as Lena prattled on and on; taking in the lush green landscape, sporadic trees, little pond, flower bushes? It made her head spin. What was the point of having all of this? Talon would never have such useless frivolities, everything had its purpose within the organization or it was exterminated. Though she had to admit, it felt wonderful almost like she wasn't a prisoner of another organization just a walk through the grounds at Château Guillard. A small pang twinged in her chest, how long had it been since she last set foot in her home?

"Well?" Lena asked, bounding to a stop in front of Widow.

"Pardonne-moi, what?" Widow blinked, completely missing the question lost in her own thoughts.

Laughing Lena repeated herself, "I said, what do yah think? I know it's not the same as complete freedom but the gardens are a great place to unwind and relax."

"Yes, very nice." Widow nodded, "I did not expect a war base to have such accommodations."

"Everyone's gotta have somewhere to go to find peace and quiet."

"Indeed…"

"Anyhow Luv, how you holding up?" Lena nudged a stray rock with her toe.

Widow took a moment to answer, mulling it over. "Adequately. Ziegler prattles almost as bad as you, though about much more dull subjects. But so far nothing particularly terrible has happened."

"That's good. Yeah, I know she means well though." Lena continued to fidget, trying to work up the courage to spit out whatever she was thinking. 

Widow slowed to a stop, watching Lena as she worked through whatever it was she was thinking, the girl fidgeting with her accelerator straps as she stood next to Widow. A couple soft footsteps sounded to the right, a rustle in the bushes, set Widow on edge. Without thinking she turned glaring off into the shrubbery where a figure approached. Narrowing her eyes she moved in front of Lena as the person stepped out of the foliage, bristling as she recognized the decrepit person in front of her.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Jack drawled out in a gravelly voice.

Chapter Text

"Morrison." Widow hissed, shifting more of herself in front of Lena. "What do you want?"

"I'm here for you of course. Relax. I'm here to talk." Jack sidled closer, grumbling seeing Lena peek around. "Get out of here Oxton. This is between myself and Lacroix."

"No way, you think I'm going to leave you here with her?! You're out of your mind!" Lena bristled, side stepping around Widow.

Lena froze finding a hand grabbing her arm in a death grip. Whipping her head around she found herself staring up at Widow's expressionless face.

"Amélie…"

"Go." Widow's voice was cold, not taking her eyes from Jack.

"But Amé he'll…"

"I said. Go. Oxton." Widow easily tugged Lena off her feet and backwards back the way they came. "For once in your annoying life. Listen."

Lena trembled on her knees staring up at the two of them, tears welling up in her eyes. Stumbling to her feet she staggered forward a step before turning tail and making her way towards Emily. And help. 

"You've trained her well." Jack sneered, glaring after Lena's retreating form.

"You'd be mistaken to think she'd ever listen more than once. What do you want Morrison." Widow scoffed, internally her heart beating faster than it ever had before. 

Tears spilling down Lena picked up her pace until the other's disappeared behind her. Her hands started to shake hard and her feet slowed to a stop. Legs cutting out from under her, she collapsed to her knees in the grass. 
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You see Oxton? You're weak. To think you ever thought you could do anything on your own is a testament to your stupidity. Without me. You're nothing.

"Y-you're wrong." Lena gasped out feeling like there was a stranglehold on her throat.

Am I? Look at you, running back to Overwatch with your tail between your legs. If you listen to me, you wouldn't have this problem and maybe Amélie may actually see you as an equal. Instead of her little plaything.

"FACE IT OXTON, YOU'RE WEAK!" Slipstream roared grabbing Lena by her accelerator straps and hauling her up so they were face to face. 

"N-n-no…" Lena flinched back, Slipstream's red aura burning into her flesh.

That's why Amélie sent you away. Just like she always does. Or rather, used to. See, not sure if you realize, but Jack was never one for talking it out. Laughing maniacally Slipstream shoved Lena back down, a feral grin on her face. I'll give it to the count of three, then you'll have no choice but to come crawling back to me anyways. Tick tock Oxton. What will it be?

"No no no no no…"

"AMÉLIE!" Lena howled clutching her head between her hands.

Chapter Text

Widow flinched hearing Lena's heart wrenching scream deep in the garden; turning slightly to where the girl had gone, her voice a hoarse whisper. "Lena…"

Jack snarled behind his mask, driving his elbow into Widowmaker's ribs, knocking the wind from her and sending the assassin to one knee. Wheezing quietly Widow looked up, finding a pistol aimed between her eyes. 

Teeth clenched Widow refused to show him any fear, "Do it Coward. It will be the last thing you ever do.."

"Don't worry about me Lacroix. I've made my peace, or rather I will once you're finally out of the way." Using his thumb he cocked the hammer back, jamming the barrel against Widow's forehead. 

The loud pounding of her heart in her ears was drowned out by the sound of feet racing towards them both. Twigs snapped and leaves rustled out of the way as Lena barreled up the path. 

"No…" Widow breathed.

Lena's eyes were dark, red light crackling out of control from the Accelerator, the core glowing a faint blue, on her chest. Roaring Lena blinked forward slamming headlong into Jack, knocking him backwards into the dirt. Lena staggered back to her feet, clutching her head between her hands breathing hard. 

"Lena…" Widow murmured quietly reaching out, flinching back when Lena's head snapped around staring straight through her, eyes a glaring red ringed with the barest hint of brown.

"Cheers Luv." Lena's voice was oddly echoed, both anger and fear spiraling together. 

"Why you little Bitch!" Jack snarled, stumbling to his feet he leveled his pistol at Widow again. "I'm finishing this. Once and for all!"

Blinking forward Lena's hand cocked back and slammed into the side of Jack's face with the thunderous crack of the pistol going off simultaneously. Widow flinched, her arms coming up in a fruitless attempt at blocking the shot. Jack hit the ground and time hung still. Widow slowly lowered her arms down, looking at the scene in front of her. 

Morrison was groaning on the ground, flat on his back and the pistol a few feet away. Lena on the other hand… Her breathing was ragged, slumping to one side yet still on her feet; a spot of red blossoming slowly on her lower back. A low snarl building in her throat, Lena lurched forward a step blood dripping onto the green grass staining it crimson. Another step and Lena fell to one knee but it only stayed that way a moment before she was moving forward again. 

"Wha… what the fuck are you?" Jack choked out as Lena stood over him.

"Exactly what you feared Jack. A monster. Just like you." Lena snarled reaching down, she grabbed him by either side of his jacket. 

Picking Jack up as if he weighed little more than a doll Lena slammed him into a nearby tree, his feet dangling off the ground. Shifting her grip to one hand Lena pulled back her arm and sent her balled fist straight into Jack's face cracking his visor.

"The only difference between you and me Jackie Boy, is I'm going to be here a lot longer than you. Cheer up ol'chap, it'll be over with shortly." 

Her knuckles bloody from connecting again and again with Jack's face, visor, and body Lena couldn't feel anything as she continued to beat Jack into a bloody pulp. Widow stumbled to her feet just as Emily arrived around the bend.

"Lena! Widow! I heard screaming and a gun shot, what the hell is… happening…" Emily froze in place her eyes wide as she stared at Lena, her face painted in tiny red droplets, wailing on Jack pinned up against the tree, a large bloodstain creeping down Lena's back.

Chapter Text

"Get out of here you pest! There's nothing you can do!" Widow growled, throwing herself in front of Emily before the reckless redhead could run to Lena. 

Emily collided with Widow, struggling to get around her. "No! I'm not leaving her again! We have to do something, we can't let her…"

Wrapping the nuisance in her arms Widow kept the girl pinned and out of danger. "We don't know what she's capable of. I won't let her get hurt, and that means you have to stay away!"

Shaking Emily stared up into those golden eyes, tears welling up in her own as her struggles lessened. "Please…"

"Do not approach her. I don't know what will set her off. Did you signal for Amari and the Doctor?" Widow cautiously loosened her grip, ready to tighten it again should the girl bolt. 

Scrubbing an arm over her eyes Emily nodded. "Y-yes, they're on their way but I knew it would take too long so I…"

"Recklessly threw yourself into the mix as well? Of all the stupid..." Widow grumbled, turning to face Lena again. "Stay near enough that I can see you but far enough I would be able to get between you two if she tries to get you."

Jack was unconscious, or worse, hanging limp against the tree. Lena however didn't seem to notice, robotically connecting her fist again and again with his body. She heard her name shouted and her hand froze, head whipping to the side to see who it was. 

"Lena! Put him down this instant!" Widow snapped, moving forward she came to a halt a somewhat safe distance away. "This is not you!"

Lena sneered, turning her gaze back to the unconscious man in her grip and scoffed. Releasing her clenched fist he tumbled onto the ground like a sack of bricks. 

"What do you know about me? Huh?!" Lena growled darkly, dropping into a low crouch. 

"Lena please, you don't want to do this." 

"Oh really? Maybe I'm sick and tired of being everyone's kicking bag. It's about time I was on top!" Lena lurched forward a step, the blue light growing dimmer on her chest.

"You're Lena Oxton. Poster child of Overwatch, and perhaps the sappiest woman I've ever met. No matter how many times I beat you down, or threatened you, you still came for me time and again when I was losing myself. You didn't give up on me then, so I'm not giving up on you now. I know you're in there Lena." Widow took several steps forward, bringing herself toe to toe with Lena. "You have to fight this."

A feral growl left Lena's throat and she leapt forward slamming into Widowmaker. Shaking hard as Widow caught her, Lena tried to jerk free but the blood loss was catching up to her and Widow held her tight.

Beating her hands weakly against Widow's chest Lena let out a strangled sob. "Y-you left me. Pushed me aside. Again!" 

"Shhhh, I know. I thought I could keep you safe. By keeping you away." Widow's voice was small, pressing her face into Lena's hair. "I was wrong. This is all my fault."

Trembling Lena dissolved into a fit of choked sobbing noises, her legs finally giving out. Lowering them both to the ground, Widow cradled Lena in one arm, the other clamping over the still bleeding wound in her side trying to slow the flow of blood. Emily hurried over kneeling beside them, brushing Lena's hair off her forehead.

"Lena I…" Emily's voice trembled and faded out.

Struggling to focus Lena's eyes shot around warily before settling on Emily, the red still outshining the brown. The fear in them drove a stake through the red-head's heart. 

Widow could make out the distant sound of multiple sets of feet running full tilt towards them, but from the waxy look creeping up on Lena's face she was worried they would be too late. Her eyes closed she started to shake as well, tears welling up and spilling out surprisingly hot on her cold cheeks.

"Dammit Oxton. You know who you are! You are stronger than Moira, and you are stronger than that Slipstream Bitch. You can fight this!" Widow barked out, her voice hoarse from the remaining tears still trapped inside. "You hear me! Fight dammit!" 

Lena struggled a minute, coughing hard her own hand coming up and covering Widow's hand on her side. Shaking her other reached up and brushed a tear away with her thumb. The accelerator flickered briefly, the red light fighting and crackling trying to stay in control. Emily reached out placing her hand atop Lena's and Widow's. Slowly the whirring stabilized, blue leaching out until it was filled to the brim inside the little glass bulb. 

"W-we gotta stop meeting like this Luv…" coughing again Lena curled in on herself as the pain from the gunshot started to increase with her adrenaline gone.

"Lena… please… you've got to hold on." 

Widow's voice was already fading in her ears, Lena dropped her head on that familiar blue shoulder and closed her eyes.

Chapter Text

"Amélie! What happened, Emily said…" Angela trailed off, her face going pale as she took in the bloodbath in front of her. 

Widow didn't react as the other's showed up, shoulders hunched as she leaned over Lena's limp body, tears dripping off her face into that chestnut hair. 

"Fareeha! Check on Jack and call for backup assistance and stretchers, but Lena needs help now." Rushing forward she dropped to her knees and opened the small med kit she had been able to grab on her flight to the garden. 

Emily withdrew her hand and turned to Angela, "I-I don't know what started it, but I heard Lena scream and a gun shot. By the time I got here Lena was… she was attacking Jack and bleeding everywhere. H-he must have shot her."

Nodding Angela pulled out a preloaded syringe and plunged it into Lena's thigh emptying it. Reaching back in she tore open several packages of thick gauze. 

"Amélie, I need to get in there." Angela placed her hand on Amélie's trying to move it.

"N-no!" Amélie jerked back, clutching Lena to her chest even as blood seeped lazily through her fingers warming her hand to an unnatural temperature for her.

"Fareeha, I hate to do this but I need you to get Amélie away from Lena if I'm going to get a compress on that wound. Emily, hold onto Lena to keep her in place."

"He's still breathing for now, looks like one too many knocks to the head." Fareeha reported jogging back over and with a nod she circled behind Widow.

"Sorry…" Fareeha mumbled.

Hooking her arms under Widow's she grabbed the assassin in a bear hug and jerked her away. Eyes going wide as Widow felt herself ripped away from Lena she immediately started to struggle to get back to her. 

"What the hell are you doing! Let go! She needs me!" Widow howled, twisting in Fareeha's grip.

"You'll be of no use if you keep getting in the way! Let Angela handle it, you'll just get her killed!" Fareeha barked out, wrestling Widow onto her knees holding onto her, both watching as Angela began to pack gauze over the wound. 

Tears streaming down her face, Widow shook in Fareeha's grip, staring hopelessly as Angela tried to stabilize Lena. Once she felt the tension leave the assassin's body Fareeha loosened her grip, bringing the com up to her face barking further orders to step on it.

"Fareeha, I need you to hold this in place while I get a wrap on it. Do you think you can let go?" Angela asked, piling yet another square of gauze atop the wound.

"I don't think…" Fareeha started, cut off by a hand on her shoulder.

"Go. I've got her." Emily spoke, kneeling down beside Widow.

Nodding Fareeha cautiously released her grip and Emily pulled Widowmaker into her arms. Rushing over to Lena's side, Fareeha replaced Angela's hands with her own, and the doctor started to tape bandages down to hold it in place. 

Widow trembled, flinching slightly as unfamiliar arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. She desperately wanted to tear away from the Red-head's arms, something she could no doubt easily do, but deep down she knew that she could do nothing for Lena. Turning her head away she gave a heartbreaking sob into Emily's shoulder. Bringing a hand up Emily gently stroked Widow's purple hair, making what she hoped were soothing noises. Staring over the assassin's head she too felt like she was being eaten alive watching Lena's limp form bleeding into the grass.
-------------------
They rushed through the hall's, Angela pulling Lena's gurney and behind her Fareeha with Jack's. Bursting into the med bay she peeled off with Lena, barking orders for the second attending to start work on Jack. Next, while her team was getting scrubbed in and hooking Lena up to the monitors, she raced to her office and after aggressively punching in the code unlocked the secure cabinet pulling her staff from it's hooks. Swearing under her breath she hurriedly scrubbed down and entered the room.

"Hang in there Lena sweetie, we'll have you patched up in no time." 

Giving out orders she sent the one nurse for blood and leveled her staff at Lena. Muttering under her breath she started the painful process of probing the wound, getting a measure of its size and depth, and setting to work. She knew Lena's body couldn't handle the whole thing being sealed up, but she could at least get her out of the danger zone. The nurse returned, hooking up the blood bags and running a line to Lena's arm. 

Ever so slowly the gaping hole in Lena's side started to knit close, writhing it spit up the remains of the spent slug onto the table. Shaking Angela put the staff aside and picked up her needle getting to work.
----------------------
Widow and Emily followed behind the train of gurneys, drawing up short as they passed through the doorway into the surgeon's area where they couldn't follow. Trembling Widow felt completely numb, her legs wanting to give out then and there but she refused. Leaning on Emily they stood there, staring hopelessly at those foreboding doors until Fareeha came back out and led them into a side room with several couches and chairs.

Widow slumped limply onto one of the couches clutching her head, the tears still dripping down but slowed greatly from what they were in the garden. She felt the seat under her shift as the girl sat beside her, a hand finding its way onto her knee. 

"She's going to be okay… this is Lena we're talking about." Emily tried to stay upbeat but her stomach was churning with the possibilities. 

Chapter Text

The tears had long since stopped, but she still felt like she was being eaten alive from the inside out. Fareeha had ducked in and out of the room, arguing quietly over her com and stepping out to field various questions, and delivering a tray with glasses and a pitcher of water to the table in front of the two of them. 

"H-hey… you need to drink something. Replace the water you lost." Emily murmured tentatively, holding out a glass of cold water to Widowmaker. 

Staring blankly at the girl Widow's mind ran a mile a minute trying to figure out some kind of response. With no movement on Widow's end Emily sighed and reached out picking up one of those cold blue hands and pressing the glass into it. Once she was sure the other woman had a grip on it she slowly let go, relieved to see Widow had held on to it. Shaking her head, Widow looked down at the glass in her hands and stared deep into her reflection there. 

Swallowing hard she lifted it to her lips and took a small drink, feeling it curdle her stomach more but she continued to take small measured sips. 

"There you go. That's the spirit." Emily smiled a little despite everything. 

Widow's head snapped up as the door opened again, expecting the Amari girl to walk in again but this time it was Ziegler instead. Stomach clenching at the amount of blood on the woman's scrubs she feared the worst as Angela made her way over to them.

Still exhausted from what she had accomplished Angela took a moment to collect herself before speaking. "She's stable for now, I patched her up as best I could with my staff but I couldn't repair all of it that way. She lost a lot of blood and honestly, I don't know how she was still breathing when I got there. She is a very lucky woman."

"Can I… we see her?" Widow's voice was pinched, hands shaking slightly. 

"Not now, she needs to rest and let her body do the rest of the work. We gave her a lot of blood but she still needs constant supervision. I can take you to her room but you'll have to stay behind the glass in the waiting room. I don't want to risk her waking up early and doing something reckless." 

Nodding immediately Widow stood, swaying slightly as her body started to register her own adrenaline crash leaving her to grip the arm of the couch to stay upright. Emily jumped up and ducked under the taller woman's arm, pulling Widow's arm over her shoulder; she took some of the woman's weight off her feet and turned to Angela.

"Lead the way."
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She looked to be at peace, breathing steadily in that painfully white room. Lena was laying back in bed, all but her arms tucked under the thin hospital blanket, various tubes and wires connecting her to the monitors and iv drip. Widow stood as long as she could at the large bay window before allowing Emily to guide her over to the couch against the back wall where she now sat still staring through at Lena. 

Emily had returned not too long ago bringing with her a bag and several pillows and blankets. Setting those things aside she sat next to Widow, careful not to touch her.

Fidgeting in her seat she finally broke the silence. "What happened out there?" 

Widow felt a lump form in her throat but she choked it back down. "We were walking, Lena had something she wanted to say but Morrison interrupted us. I sent Lena off to get her out of the way, and hopefully off to find you or Amari but she had other plans it seems. She put her body between myself and the bullet before beating him senseless. I shouldn't have sent her away…"

"Hey, this wasn't your fault." Emily wasn't sure why she was so furious at the idea of Widow blaming herself. 

"She wouldn't have snapped like that if I had just let her stay. Perhaps Morrison would have backed down with two on one." 

"I hate to say it, but Lena has been bottling her shit up for a long time. There's no way to know if she would have snapped or not just by staying."

"Yes but,..."

"No! What do you think would have happened if Jack did put a bullet in you hmm? That I could stop her? No, she probably would have completely lost it." Emily huffes bristling glaring into Widow's eyes.

Widow blinked before turning her head aside in shame, "Perhaps…" 

"She cares about you. She really does…" Emily shifted, handing over a pillow and a blanket to the other woman. "Here. I doubted you'd want to leave so I figured you'd want these."

Stunned Widow cautiously took the proffered bedware, "Thank you." 

Biting her tongue Emily looked away, reaching into the bag she pulled out a stuffed toy running the tip of her finger around the frayed edges of its jacket. "I can't say I forgive you for everything that's happened with Lena… but… ugh, just here. This is Lena's, I figured you could use it more than me right now."

Shoving the plush bunny into Widow's arms Emily turned away her cheeks tinged pink, wrapping herself up in her own blanket she settled into the other end of the couch curling up. "Just don't lose him, he's important. To both of us…" 

Chapter Text

Lena felt herself floating, not in the usual way of she messed up royally and was stuck in time, but more of a complete exhaustion shut down and she was just biding her time til she woke up refreshed and ready for action. Though, judging by the ache in her side that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. She had felt Angela's healing technology, so she had messed up bad enough that death was knocking on the door for the good Doctor to pull her staff out. The only problem she had left to deal with was a certain red colored one. 

Slipstream paced back and forth in front of her, her usual intimidating presence a pale shadow of what it used to be. Growling and grumbling like a petulant child Slipstream rounded on Lena again releasing a volley of insults. 

You're nothing without me. Your precious Amélie would have her brains splattered all over that garden if I hadn't intervened. You'd still be sniveling in the grass like a Coward!

"No, you're nothing without me. And I've decided, I'm done living my life in fear. You can't do anything without tearing me down first and I'm not going to give you that satisfaction anymore. Hope you enjoyed your last taste of freedom, cause you're never seeing the light of day again." Lena shoved Slipstream away, blocking out her following shouts and insults, and finding herself at peace.
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Lena inhaled sharply, coughing brought a dull pain to her side and her hand moved down putting pressure over the bandaged area. "Owwww…" 

Looking around she slowly recognized the stark white surroundings of the medical bay. Yah know, I've seen way too much of these blasted rooms but gotta say thank the gods for the med bay and Angie.

Taking stock she wiggled her toes and counted her aches and pains. So far the biggest injury looked to be where she had been shot, but the knuckles on her one hand were swollen and rubbed raw smothered in a green paste and wrapped loosely. With a solid grasp on what not to move Lena looked around disappointed to find herself alone, a small twinge of fear twitched in the pit of her stomach.

Drawing in as deep a breath as her side would allow her, she calm herself down as best she could, turning her head to the side catching sight of the window. Sitting up was a struggle that was well worth it, looking out the large window her gaze fell on a couch across the way with two women asleep on it. Emily had curled up on the right side, snuggled into the blanket until just the top of her red hair was poking out. 

Moving her head to the left she felt her heart skip a beat as she found Amélie curled into a tight ball, covers loosely on top of her, a familiar fluffy white face and ears poking out of those blue arms. She couldn't help but notice the gap between the two of them, just the right amount of space for a third member to crawl up and fill out the couch perfectly. 

Relief coursed through her, they're safe. Safe and sound and for once not about to rip each other's heads off. 

Smiling she lowered herself back onto the bed at her side's insistence. "Thanks Mr. Bunbun. Keep 'em safe for me." 

Closing her eyes again Lena drifted back to sleep, exhaustion winning out but she gladly returned to sleep for once knowing things would be okay. 

Chapter Text

"Are you sure about this Ziegler? There has been incredible progress I admit, but to let them loose?" Ana asked, folding her hands in front of her.

"Yes. Lena still has some extensive recovery ahead but it's nothing she can't handle. And Amélie…" Angela trailed off, the haunting sight of Amélie clinging to Lena's body coming to mind again. "She is recovering well. It's time to give her some independence, see how well she can do on her own."

"Alright Angela I trust your judgment, of course both of them will be reporting in weekly if not daily. Talon is still out there and I doubt they'll just crawl away and lick their wounds after losing two of their agents. Especially O'Deorain." Ana nodded glancing over the reports taking over her desk. "That's all, you're dismissed."

Angela nodded as well, gathering her things she turned to leave hesitating. 

"Yes Ziegler?" 

"If I may, what are we to do with Jack?" Angela spoke carefully, still hurting at the loss of an old friend.

Sighing Ana dropped the paper she was holding back onto the desktop rubbing her temples with one hand. "He obviously can't go free, but I don't want him nearby if we're to settle the other two down in the city. Perhaps we can arrange for one of the other Watchpoints to take him. But for now he will stay confined to his quarters with a heavily restricted access list."

"I see… perhaps for the best if we want to see Overwatch move forward in a positive direction. Goodnight Ana." 

"Goodnight Angela, tell Fareeha… Thank you for the meal." Ana set a hand delicately on Tupperware Angela had given her, a note with Fareeha's tight scrawled handwriting taped to the lid.

Smiling Angela dipped her head, "Of course."

Ana watched the young doctor set off down the hall and she once again felt that ache deep in her bones. The world was definitely changing, and they had to be prepared when it did. Pouring herself back over her paperwork she began to make some calls.